Bengaluru: Repeated allegations of caste and gender discrimination at temples have forced the muzarai department to come out with a notice allowing entry for all sections and religions of people at temples run by the department.
The state government received complaints that in some temples, members of the minority community were not allowed because, as temple administrators tried to reason, they ate beef and did not believe in Hindu gods. But from now, denying entry to any person because of his caste, gender or religion will be an offence in the state.
To ensure that all devotees are treated equally, all the muzarai department-owned temples have been directed to put up display boards saying that none will be discriminated against and the temple is open for all.
Over the last few days, all temples in the city that are run by the muzarai department have pasted the notices at the entrance of premises.
The notice states that there is no discrimination based on caste, race, religion and gender and that the darshan is open for all. The notice has been signed by the commissioner, muzarai department.
Sources in the department said that the notice was issued after the state government received many complaints from the public that the darshan was being barred for a few sections. "A few temples, especially in non-coastal areas, had barred entry to few castes. In few areas of coastal Karnataka, it was alleged that members of the minority community were barred from participating in auctions called by temple committees. To put an end to such practices, the state government directed the muzarai department to come out with the notice," they said.
Asked whether the notice would be applicable even to temples not administered by the muzarai department, an officer from the department said, "If we receive complaints of discrimination, we will definitely issue such directions even to private temples owned and run by few maths in the state. But right now, our focus is muzarai temples."
