Karnataka High Court Lauds Yadgir District’s Harmony

In a latest order, the Karnataka Excessive Court docket praised the communal concord in Yadgir district, the place there’s a conventional follow of Hindus and Muslims celebrating one another’s festivals.

Yadgir is within the border space of Karnataka and the erstwhile Hyderabad princely state. The Court docket famous that this district celebrates communal concord with the participation of Hindus and Muslims within the festivals of one another’s group. The establishments like Sharanabasaveshwar Temple, Khaja Bandanawaz Dargah, are examples of the communal concord, which could be adopted by the whole nation, the Court docket noticed.

In tune with the communal concord, Muharram of the Muslim group can be noticed by Hindus, the place sure Hindu Deities are additionally worshipped by each Muslims and Hindus in the course of the pageant.

In Tumkur village in Vadagera Taluk of Yadgiri district, a Hindu Deity referred to as Kashimalli is worshipped by each Hindus and Muslims throughout Muharram. A people dance referred to as ‘Alai Bhosai Kunitha’ can be held in entrance of the village temple. Throughout this ceremony, Muslims in addition to Hindus participate. The ceremony entails the beating of a percussion instrument referred to as ‘Halige’, which is finished by Madiga group, who’re Dalits.

The Madiga group felt that they’re being made to beat the ‘Halige’ instrument since they’re Dalits. Therefore, they objected to the beating of the drum, which led to clashes with higher caste Hindus. On this backdrop, they filed a illustration to the authorities to ban public festivities together with’Alai Bhosai Kunitha’ throughout Muharrum. Later, they filed a writ petition looking for a consideration of their illustration.

Whereas deciding this writ petition filed by the Madiga group, Justice MI Arun made the observations relating to the communal concord being adopted in Yadgir district.

Yadgiri District, which is part of Hyderabad- Karnataka space celebrates the communal concord, which is mostly present in Hyderabad-Karnataka space. This consists of participation of each Hindus and Muslims within the festivals of one another group. The establishments like Sharanabasaveshwar Temple, Khaja Bandanawaz Dargah, are examples of the communal concord, which could be adopted by the whole nation. In tune with the communal concord, Muharram pageant of the Muslim group can be celebrated by Hindus, whereby sure Hindu Deities are additionally worshipped by each Muslims and Hindus in the course of the pageant.

The Court docket additionally lamented that the festivals collectively being celebrated by Hindus and Muslims within the Yadgir district have led to clashes between higher caste Hindus and Dalits.

“It’s unlucky {that a} Muslim pageant, which is being celebrated harmoniously by each Hindus and Muslims has resulted in communal clashes between higher caste Hindus and the Dalits.”

Whereas the State should promote festivals which unfold communal concord, no group could be compelled to participate in them, the Court docket famous.

“The State ought to promote festivities, which spreads the message of peace and communal concord between a number of communities, however, nevertheless, when it’s not attainable, the choice is finest left to the State authorities and within the current circumstances, the State authorities are required to determine whether or not the festivities are required to be gone forward with or not.”

“A group has a proper to have fun a pageant with out scary the opposite communities. Nevertheless, a selected group can not drive one other group to do an act, which they despise, solely on the bottom that it has been finished historically by them,” the Court docket added.

Following this, it directed the respondents to think about the illustration of the petitioner in addition to hear all of the stakeholders within the festivities and thereafter take acceptable choices in accordance with legislation.

It clarified, “It’s pointless to state that, if the festivities are gone forward with, nobody can compel the Madiga group to beat the halige (a kind of percussion instrument) and it’s the obligation of the State to present sufficient safety for the members.”

“The salvation of the nation lies in figuring out human beings as a human being and as an Indian with the opposite identities enjoying a secondary function,” the Court docket noticed.

Case : Madiga Dandora v. The State of Karnataka