Sri Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti, a Hindu temple protection organisation, has protested the invitation of non-Hindu leaders to cultural programmes at the Kiru Shashti festival at Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple in Dakshina Kannada. The invitation, issued by the temple’s Muzrai authorities, included Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader, MLC Ivan D’Souza, Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy chairman Umar UH, Karnataka Coastal Development Board chairman MA Gafoor, Minimum Wages Advisory Board chairman TM Shahid Tekkil, Konkani Sahitya Academy chairman Joachim Stany Alvares, and Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board chairperson Shalet Pinto for the inaugural ceremony.
On Monday, Samiti members staged a protest outside the temple’s administrative office and submitted a petition to the executive officer, alleging that the inclusion of non-Hindu leaders at a sacred festival breached temple sanctity under the guise of protocol. However, none of the invited non-Hindu dignitaries attended the programme.
Located in Sullia taluk, the Kukke Subrahmanya Temple is the richest temple in Karnataka, and the Kiru Shashti festival runs until December 26. For Hindu organisations concerned about temple autonomy and religious protocols, inviting non-Hindus to sacred temple ceremonies raises fundamental questions about who controls Hindu religious spaces and whether state-appointed Muzrai authorities prioritise temple traditions or political courtesy.
