By The News Observer Desk,
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. Failing this, the organization has warned of launching a protest.
Addressing a press conference held at the Lakshminarasimha Temple in Muttalli, VHP taluk president Ramakrishna Naik said the Murinakatte has long held religious and cultural significance for the Hindu community in Bhatkal. “This is not just a structure—it has been a place of faith for generations. Even revered seer Sridhar Swamiji had visited this spot,” he said.
Nayak pointed out that for the past five years, various Hindu organizations in Bhatkal have consistently demanded the reconstruction of the structure. He alleged that during the widening of the national highway, when plans were made to relocate the Murinakatte, district authorities and IRB officials had 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 the morning of Sunday, May 24, Hindu organizations performed a bhoomi 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 the Murinakatte within 48 hours. If not, we will be forced to take to the streets and intensify our protest,” he warned.
Others present at the press meet included Hindu Jagarana Vedike taluk convenor Jayant Nayak Benandur, BJP district secretary Subraya Devadiga, and local leaders Bhaskar Daimane and Nagaraj Naik, among others.
Reporting by Shailesh Vaidya, Bhatkal
