However, the Sri Krishna Mutt denied the allegation, stating that the said lodge does not belong to the mutt. Udupi/Mangaluru: The DYFI Karnataka State Committee alleged that a Muslim woman, who arrived with a Hindu family to stay at the Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt lodge, was denied accommodation citing her religion.
Democratic Youth Federation of India Karnataka state president Lavitra Vastrad and secretary Santhosh Bajal stated in a release that on Oct 3, the woman, who traveled to Udupi on a tour with the family of a Hindu friend from Raichur, reportedly offered prayers at the temple and went to the lodge for a night stay. Because she belonged to the Muslim faith, the DYFI leaders stated, it is alleged that during the verification of Aadhaar cards of those seeking accommodation, she was informed that lodging could not be provided.
Santhosh Bajal said, “The DYFI Karnataka State Committee demands that the district administration and relevant authorities thoroughly investigate the incident and reveal the truth. “Allegations have also surfaced that despite the friend’s family explaining that it was late at night and unsafe for the woman to go alone in a new town, accommodation was still refused. DYFI has urged the district administration to take this matter seriously and take necessary action against the guilty. it is essential to ensure that discrimination solely on grounds of religion does not occur when providing accommodation or other public facilities,” the leaders noted While religious beliefs are part of an individual’s personal liberty. The Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt is one of Karnataka’s prominent religious and cultural centres. The religious heritage of Udupi features several instances of harmony among various communities. There are historical references indicating that the late Haji Abdullah Saheb was a devotee of the mutt. Examples of the late Pejawara Mutt seer Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji maintaining cordial relations with the Muslim community on various occasions are also publicly documented, the release stated. Necessary legal action must be taken against this act of discrimination on religious grounds, and the govt must take precautions to prevent such incidents from recurring.”