HM Araga must visit daivasthana, apologise: Nalikes

Mangaluru: Coming down heavily upon home minister Araga Jnanendra and MLA CT Ravi for their remarks on daivaradhane, Nalikeyavara Samaja Seva Sangha has given an ultimatum of one week to the leader to tender an apology, by visiting a daivaradhane kshetra in Dakshina Kannada district.“They should also tender an apology to the people of Tulu Nadu for insulting daivaradhane,” said Prabhakar, president of the sangha’s Belthangady taluk unit.He told reporters here on Friday, that while Araga Jnanendra insulted ‘Guliga daiva’ in a programme at Thirthahalli recently, BJP national general secretary CT Ravi had claimed the deities ‘Guliga,’ ‘Panjurli’ and ‘Kallurti’ are in favour of the BJP. Jnanendra had mentioned the name of Guliga daiva while criticising the Congress leaders, who arranged a show ‘Shivadhootha Gulige’, which is a play by Vijaykumar Kodialbail in Thirthahalli. “Why should they mention the names of daivas for their political mileage? Daivaradhane should not be imitated in plays, Yakshagana and movies. We also appeal to artistes not to use daivas for performances on stage and movies. The sangha will take a decision on the future course of action shortly. The sangha members will hold black flag protests and gherao Araga Jnanendra and CT Ravi on their arrival to the district, if they fail to tender an apology,” he said. He said that a district-level convention of the Nalike community members will be held in the district shortly, and that members of various associations will set up the rules and regulations to be followed.Association district president Padmanabha said that the organisation had given several representations to the district administration and police, that organisers should not imitate daivanarthane on stage, while performing skits, dances, Yakshagana in schools, colleges, and public functions.