Permission not given for installing Kamanna idol at Idgah Maidan in Hubballi

HDMC has cited security reasons in view of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city on Sunday

Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation has denied permission for the installation of the idols of Kamanna (Lord Manmatha) and Rati on account of Holi festival in Hubballi citing security reasons in view of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city on Sunday.

Speaking to presspersons in Hubballi on Thursday, HDMC Commissioner Gopalkrishna B. said that as Mr. Modi is visiting Dharwad on March 12 for the inauguration of Dharwad IIT and for initiating various other projects, installation of the Rati-Kamanna idols at Idgah Maidan has not been permitted.

He said that seeking permission, office-bearers of the Rani Chennamma Gajanan Utsav Mahamandal submitted an application to the municipal corporation on March 7. “As the visit of the Prime Minister requires additional security arrangements and as the application was submitted late, the permission has been denied,” he said.

The municipal commissioner said that they held a meeting with the office-bearers of the mahamandal and convinced them of the need for the corporation taking such a decision. The denial of permission has nothing to do with any politics, he said.

Dr. Gopalkrishna said: “Idgah Maidan belongs to the municipal corporation and there is no legal hurdle to permit any celebration or programme in the maidan. Earlier, various organisations filed applications seeking permission to celebrate Ganesh festival and Tipu Jayanti. After discussing the matter with senior officials and the Police Department, permission was given then. However, this time, permission has not been given as there is not much time to make preparations.”

Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissioner Raman Gupta said that if the mahamandal had filed application well in advance, permission would have been given after assessing the security requirement. “We need at least 10 days for preparations. Already, 427 Kamanna pandals have been permitted in the twin cities and security provided,” he said.

To a query, Mr. Gupta said that the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure based on intelligence inputs. He clarified that after March 7, no idol of Kamanna has been allowed to be installed in the twin cities.