Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat criticizes his own Govt on restrictions

Udupi, April 17, 2021: Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat was in the spotlight on Saturday after he strongly opposed the ban order imposed by his own government on religious events.

While political programs are allowed with restrictions, the religious programs are banned. Political programs can be postponed but not religious events. Let there be a restriction on the number of people attending the religious program but not ban

Raghupathi Bhat

“The state government has banned religious programs. Being an MLA of the ruling party I feel this is not good for a popular government. It will attract the ire of the people and bring bad name to the government,” Bhat told reporters today.

“While political programs are allowed with restrictions, the religious programs are banned. Political programs can be postponed but not religious events. I have written to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary on this,” Bhat said.

“The lifestyle of the people in Udupi and DK is different. Rituals like Bhootakola and Naga Darshana are held every year during summer in Dakshina Kannada and the Udupi district. People have great faith in these events. Banning these will hurt the religious sentiment of the people. Some have already taken ‘Deeksha.’ If the program is banned now it will be definetly hurt them,” Bhat warned.

He said that these programs were banned last year due to lockdown.

Bhat also expressed concern over the community that is involved in these programs.

“Those who perform Kola are from the SC community. These programs are held only for 2-3 months and the people in these communities have to run their life for a year based on the income from these months,” Bhat added.
He demanded immediate withdrawal of the order.

“We can understand the fact. The government should allow religious events. Let there be a restriction on the number of people attending the program but not ban,” he added.

Bhat also felt that the lockdown might hit the businessmen and small entrepreneurs who are still struggling to come out of last year’s lockdown effect.

Meanwhile, sources said that the state government has asked the Deputy Commissioners and SPs of the districts to strictly follow the guidelines and hold them responsible for any COVID-related problem.