The Gopalakrishna Temple Trust in Tekkar, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, has issued a formal apology to the local Muslim community after BJP MLA Harish Poonja made inflammatory remarks during a temple event on May 3. Poonja’s speech questioned the participation of Muslims in the temple’s Brahmakalashotsava celebrations and accused them of vandalism, leading to widespread outrage and police complaints.
The temple trust, after a joint meeting with Muslim leaders, expressed regret for the hurt caused and reaffirmed its commitment to communal harmony. Karnataka’s Home Minister has called for strict action against hate speech, while Poonja has defended his comments as a call for “Hindu unity.”
Temple Trust’s Apology and Community Response
The controversy erupted during the Brahmakalashotsava, a major temple festival, when MLA Harish Poonja, addressing the gathering in Tulu, questioned why Muslims were invited to participate in the celebrations. He accused members of the Muslim community of damaging festival decorations and stealing diesel, remarks that were recorded and widely circulated on social media platforms.
The speech provoked immediate backlash from the Muslim Okkoota (an umbrella organisation of Muslim groups) and other civil society members, who filed formal complaints with both the temple trust and local police.
In response, the Gopalakrishna Temple Trust convened a meeting with Muslim leaders on May 7. Following the dialogue, the trust issued a written apology, acknowledging the pain caused by the MLA’s words.
The letter, signed by Trust President Sri Gopalakrishna Bhatrabailu, thanked the Muslim community for their longstanding support, including donations and logistical help during the festival. The trust reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the village’s tradition of communal harmony and called for continued cooperation and peace.
Political and Social Context
The incident comes at a time of heightened communal sensitivities in Dakshina Kannada, a region that recently witnessed two high-profile murders in Mangaluru, further straining Hindu-Muslim relations.
Poonja’s speech, which also referenced concerns about the growing Beary Muslim population in the area, added fuel to the fire. The Karnataka police have registered a case against the MLA under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for promoting enmity between communities.
Karnataka’s Home Minister G Parameshwara, responding to media queries, stated, “No one is above the law. Action will be taken against anyone making inflammatory speeches, irrespective of their political position.”
The incident has reignited debates over the participation of non-Hindus in temple events, a subject of ongoing political contention in the state. Opposition leaders and civil society groups have called for greater vigilance against hate speech and for religious institutions to act as bridges rather than barriers between communities.
