Don't play politics with Daivasthana-Bhandara movement rituals: Ramanath Rai

Mangaluru: Congress leader and former minister B Ramanath Rai opined that the religious council order against the movement of ‘Bhandara’ installations is absurd and incongruous with the established religious traditions of Tulunadu.

Bhandara which is paraphernalia including jewels and weapons are a part of Daivaradhane (a form of spirit worship) unique to the twin coastal districts.

Addressing presspersons on October 1, Rai said Bhandara should be managed as per the ancestral customs. Daivasthana is not a tourist spot but a place of worship. If the order related to the Daivasthana at Bantwal is implemented then soon all others in the district would also fall under its purview. “The daily puja to the Daivas (spirits) and other customs will stop,” he said.

He demanded the recent order of the council be withdrawn for overstepping religious boundaries and that all Daivasthanas to be excluded from the purview of the religious council.

He added that the appeal for withdrawal has no political intentions and that it is being made for safeguarding the religious beliefs of the people.

However, he also pointed out that the religious council had been formed during BJP’s rule.