Mysuru: Taking strong exception to the District Administration’s decision of not allowing celebration of Mahisha Dasara as an alternative  for Nada Habba Dasara, former Mayor Purushotham has warned the Government of disrupting Dasara festivities in city on Oct.3.

He was speaking at the Mandalotsava organised by Mahisha Dasara Acharana Samiti at Town Hall premises in the heart of the city here on Sunday.

Stating that the authorities denied permission for celebrating Mahisha Dasara, Purushotham, who is also the Acharana Samiti President, cautioned the Government of obstructing Dasara festivities. “We will take out a grand procession of Emperor Ashoka’s statue from Ashokapuram Park on Oct.12 marking Vijayadashami  Day. The Government and the authorities must also honour our religious sentiments too just like that of others. The Government has to face the consequences if it does not allow Mahisha Dasara”, he said.

Arguing that Emperor Ashoka had accepted Buddhism after surrendering arms on Vijayadashami day, Purushotham said that as such, a grand procession of the great Emperor’s statue would be taken out on that day (Oct. 12).

Noting that it was planned to celebrate Mahisha Dasara on a grand scale this year, the former Mayor bemoaned that the Congress Government which was supported by them had betrayed them.

Urilingapeddi Mutt Seer Jnanaprakash Swamiji took exception to the authorities for acting against those who were coming for attending the Mandalotsava event, instead of taking legal action against those are making inciting remarks.” It seems that Ambedkar’s Constitution is dead. We have not given any troubles for Government Dasara,” he said while questioning the Government on why it is troubling them now. He warned of obstructing Nandi Dhwaja Puja on Vijayadashami Day if Mahisha Dasara celebration is disrupted.

Writer Yogesh Master, in his address, said that a Mahisha temple existed in neighbouring Maharashtra. Maintaining that Mahisha history has been concealed for centuries, he stressed on the importance of bringing out the true history of Mahisha who was a brave warrior.

Stating that Mahisha has been falsely portrayed as a Demon, Yogesh said that Mahisha was indeed a protector of the people and only one section of the society had portrayed him as a demon, which is not correct.

Writer Prof. K.S. Bhagawan said that Hindu Dharma was actually Brahmin Dharma and as such ‘Shudras’ must not follow it. He further said that Buddhism treats everyone with equal respect.

Earlier, floral tributes were offered to the statue of Gautama Buddha.

Bodhidatta Bantheji of Buddha Vihar, Historian Prof. P.V. Nanjaraje Urs,  Chinnaswamy, Krishnamurthy Chamaram, Siddaswamy  and others were present.

Tension prevails

Tension prevailed at the Town Hall premises for sometime as the Mandalotsava organisers, who insisted on letting them to visit the Chamundi Hill, entered into a wordy duel with the Police.

Barring Town Hall, the Police had not given permission for celebration of Mahisha Dasara anywhere else in the city including Chamundi Hill.

 Police had also denied permission for staging protests against Mahisha Dasara. As a security measure, the Police had clamped prohibitory orders in the city and had also banned entry of devotees, tourists and others to Chamundi Hill on Sunday.

However, former Mayor Purushotham said that following permission from the District Administration, he, Jnanaprakash Swamiji and Kallahalli Kumar went to Chamundi Hill and offered floral tributes to the statue of Mahisha there at about 7.30 pm.