Mangaluru: The Vishwa Hindu Parishath, responding lately to the Puttur Temple Annual Fair row, said that the Deputy Commissioner was misleading the public by furnishing false details.

VHP Working President Prof M B Puranik in a news conference on Monday condemning the inclusion of DC A B Ibrahim’s name in the invitation, said that as per the Hindu charitable act of 1997 7(1) inclusion of a non-Hindu person’s name in any temple invitation letter is illegal. However, he pointed that the DC has been claiming that the inclusion was only a formality.

“The DC is just an administrative officer of the district . He is not a leader of district so it is not necessary to include his name in the invitation. Further, he does not have the right to invite devotees for this festival,” opnioned Puranik adding that people in general too opposed the inclusion of DC’s name in the invitation as they are disturbed with the steps taken by the temple administration.

Taking on District in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai, on his statement that the intolerance of the saffron outfits and the BJP is causing such issues, Puranik said that they need not learn lessons of tolerance from the Congress.
“This is a public issue, there is no need to politicize the same,” he said.

Office-bearers Sharan Pumpwell, Dinesh Pai , Sanjeeva Matandoor and others were present.