Kannur temple : Muslims are prohibited from entering the premises during the festival; CPM and DYFI protest

*Paromita Das

A sign at the gate of a temple in Kannur, Kerala, prohibiting Muslims from entering during the festival has sparked a debate in the community.

The sign was posted outside the Malliyottu Palottukavu temple in Kunhimangalam, Kannur, warning Muslims not to visit during the festival season, which began on April 14.

It’s worth remembering that a similar sign with the same inscription was posted at the temple last year, causing quite a stir. The reappearance of the board has sparked outrage, with many people, including political parties, condemning the measure.
CPI(M) Kannur district secretary MV Jayarajan called the incident “regrettable” in a statement to the media. He went on to say that such measures would cause strife among members of various communities.

Similarly, members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) were outraged by the temple’s decision to bar Muslims from entering the premises. The activity was condemned by DYFI leaders as a “challenge to a secular society.”

Some locals also claim that their protest will have no impact on the resolution of the incident and that the board will remain in place until the festival is over. The board was erected by the ‘Naloori Samudayis,’ the temple’s festival organizing committee.
The dispute is the work of certain social media activists, according to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. They are attempting to create unnecessary controversies surrounding the event. “During the festival, many Muslims conduct business here, and they have set up temporary stalls.” “The only problem is that they are not permitted to enter the temple grounds,” he explained.

The temple administration has yet to comment on the matter. In a recent incident, the managing committee of Hosa Marigudi Temple in Kaup, Udupi district, barred Muslims from bidding in the annual ‘Suggi Mari Pooje’ (annual fair) auction after Muslims in the coastal region shut down shops and organized a bandh on March 17 to protest the Karnataka High Court’s decision on the hijab issue.