The demand for banning Muslim traders from doing business in temple fairs and around Hindu shrines has reached Mysuru with Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders submitting a memorandum to the authorities to evict Muslim businesses around the Chamundeshwari Temple premises atop Chamundi Hills.

Chamundeshwari Temple Executive Officer Yathiraj confirmed to The Hindu that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders in Mysuru had submitted a memorandum in the regard on Saturday. “We will forward the petition to the higher authorities and await instructions from them”, he said.

However, the Executive Officer said there were no Muslim shops on properties belonging to Chamundeshwari Temple around the hill shrine. But, added that he was not aware if any shops belonging to the community were present on private property atop Chamundi Hills.

Meanwhile, in Madikeri the minority cell of the district Congress has complained to the Superintendent of Police of Kodagu accusing the RSS and Bajrang Dal activists of evicting Muslim traders at a local fair at Shanivarasanthe.

The Congress minority cell president Khaleel said such acts are unconstitutional and alleged that the local police, though present at the spot, turned a blind eye to the unfolding developments and did not render any help to the Muslim traders. He said if the police failed to uphold law and order, it will become difficult for minorities to eke out their living and sought action against those responsible for preventing them from engaging in trade.

This article first appeared on thehindu.com