Date:20/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/20/stories/2007102055770800.htm

Karnataka

Samiti urges Thakur to allow Datta Jayanthi fete

Special Correspondent

Governor expected to announce decision
on October 22
Congress and other parties are opposing taking out of the ‘Shoba Yatra’

BANGALORE: A delegation of Dattareya Peetha Samvardhana Samiti on Friday called on Governor Rameshwar Thakur and appealed to him to allow the samiti and the Sangh Parivar to hold Datta Jayanthi celebrations at the Bababudangiri shrine in Chikmagalur district in December.

The delegation, led by samiti secretary Vittal Rao, met the Governor at the latter’s office in the Vidhana Soudha. The BJP State unit secretary and Chikmagalur MLA, C.T. Ravi, was also part of the delegation. The samiti requested the Governor to allow the BJP, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal to take out “Sankeerthana Yatra” on October 22 and Datta Mala on October 26.

Addressing presspersons after the meeting, Mr. Ravi said the Governor was expected to announce his decision on October 22 on taking out Datta Mala and “Shoba Yatra”.

The Governor had stated earlier that the administration would take all steps to protect the religious rights of the people and maintain law and order at the Bababudangiri shrine during the Datta Jayanthi celebrations. The Congress and other parties have been opposing the taking out of the “Shoba Yatra” by activists of the Sangh Parivar in Chikmagalur.