Unfortunate That Muslim Festival Celebrated Harmoniously By Hindus & Muslims Led To Upper Caste-Dalit Clash: Karnataka High Court
The Karnataka Excessive Court docket not too long ago lamented that the festivals collectively being celebrated by Hindus and Muslims within the Yadgir district in Karnataka have led to clashes between higher caste Hindus and Dalits.
These observations have been made whereas listening to a petition filed by Madiga Dandora(an organisation of Madiga group), which said that in Tumkur village in Vadagera Taluk of Yadgiri district, a Hindu Deity known as Kashimalli is worshipped by each Hindus and Muslims, and the Muharram pageant can also be celebrated by a folks dance known as ‘Alai Bhosai Kunitha’ in entrance of the village temple.
Members of the Madiga Neighborhood additionally take part within the mentioned celebrations. The celebration additionally includes beating of halige (a kind of percussion instrument) by the Madiga Neighborhood.
Nonetheless, it was felt that they have been being made to beat the identical as a result of they have been untouchables, and for that purpose, they stopped beating the identical, however took half within the festivities. This gave rise to a communal disharmony between the higher caste Hindus and the Madiga group, which resulted in communal clashes.
Thus, the petitioner gave a illustration to the authorities involved to ban public festivities, together with ‘Alai Bhosai Kunitha’ throughout the Muharrum pageant within the village. Because it was not thought of, they approached the courtroom.
In response, the federal government advocate filed an affidavit of Assistant Commissioner, Yadgiri, whereby it was submitted that it’s not advisable to go forward with Muharram festivities in Tumkur village, Vadagera taluka, Yadgiri district, within the gentle of the prevailing circumstances.
Following which the bench noticed, “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.”
Then it mentioned “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 doable, the choice is greatest left to the State authorities and within the current circumstances, the State authorities are required to resolve 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 frightening the opposite communities. Nonetheless, a specific group can not power one other group to do an act, which they despise, solely on the bottom that it has been executed historically by them,” it 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 applicable choices in accordance with regulation.
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 responsibility of the State to offer enough safety for the contributors.”
The Court docket additionally, in its judgment, lauded the communal concord exhibited by folks within the space by celebrating the festivals collectively.
Justice M I Arun identified that Yadgiri District, which is part of Hyderabad Karnataka space, celebrates communal concord, which is usually present in Hyderabad-Karnataka space. This contains the participation of each Hindus and Muslims within the festivals of one another’s communities.
The Court docket mentioned, “The establishments like Sharanabasaveshwar Temple, Khaja Bandanawaz Dargah, are examples of the communal concord, which might be adopted by your entire nation…In tune with the communal concord, Muharram pageant of the Muslim group can also be celebrated by Hindus, whereby sure Hindu Deities are additionally worshipped by each Muslims and Hindus throughout the pageant.”
“The salvation of the nation lies in figuring out human beings as a human being and as an Indian with the opposite identities taking part in a secondary position,” the Court docket noticed.
Look: Advocate Vinay Swamy C for Petitioner.
AGA Mallikarjun Sahukar for Respondent.
Quotation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 220
