VHP Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum for Murinakatte Reconstruction
Karwar: The Bhatkal unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the local administration, demanding the reconstruction of the Murinakatte structure. The organization has warned that failure to comply will lead to protests.
Addressing a press conference at the Lakshminarasimha Temple in Muttalli on Tuesday, VHP taluk president Ramakrishna Naik emphasized the religious and cultural significance of Murinakatte for the Hindu community in Bhatkal. “This is not just a structure. It has been a place of faith for generations. Even the revered seer Sridhar Swami had visited this spot,” he said.
Naik highlighted that various Hindu organizations in Bhatkal have been demanding the reconstruction of the structure for the past five years. He alleged that during the widening of the national highway, when plans were made to relocate the structure, district authorities and IRB officials initially engaged with local residents and Hindu groups to identify a suitable site and mark it for reconstruction. However, opposition from certain groups stalled the process.
According to Naik, on Sunday morning, Hindu organizations performed bhumi puja at the site identified by the authorities and began rebuilding the structure in line with their traditions. “But as the work neared completion, a group of individuals allegedly disrupted the process. Despite police presence, we were not allowed to complete the construction,” he claimed.
He further stated that later in the evening, a large crowd gathered and allegedly demolished the partially built structure. “This has deeply hurt the sentiments and identity of the Hindu community,” he said, adding that when activists approached the police station seeking action, cases were instead filed against them.
The VHP has demanded the immediate withdrawal of cases against its workers and called for strict action against those responsible for the alleged attack and demolition. Naik also questioned why the person accused of circulating a provocative video related to the incident has not yet been arrested.
“We demand that those behind this act, which has hurt Hindu religious sentiments, be arrested immediately. The administration must rebuild Murinakatte within 48 hours. If not, we will be forced to take to the streets and intensify our protest,” he warned.
Hindu Jagarana Vedike taluk convenor Jayant Nayak Benandur, BJP district secretary Subraya Devadiga, and others were present at the press conference.
