Kerala Dancer Told Can't Perform As "Non-Hindus Not Allowed" In Temple

Dancer Mansiya VP, a Muslim-born woman, was to perform at the 10-day National Festival of Dance and Music organised by the famed Koodalmanikyam temple in Irinjalakuda

A dancer has claimed that the organisers of a temple festival in Kerala's Thrissur telephoned her on Monday and cancelled her invitation to perform, saying "non-hindus are not allowed" in the temple.

Dancer Mansiya VP, a Muslim-born woman, was to perform at the 10-day National Festival of Dance and Music organised by the famed Koodalmanikyam temple in Irinjalakuda. The festival is to be held from April 15 to 25. Around 800 artists are expected to perform at the temple during the festival.

"The organisers phoned me and told me that I cannot perform. When asked why, they said non-Hindus are not allowed in the temple. I said it is a national dance festival. I also said that I am a human being," Mansiya was quoted saying by news agency PTI.

The dancer, married to musician Shyam Kalyan, claims she was asked if she has converted to Hinduism.