Mysuru, July 6 (UNI) A major controversy erupted in Karnataka on Monday over the state government's decision to introduce a Rs 2,000 special darshan ticket for devotees visiting the famed Chamundeshwari Temple on Ashada Fridays, with the Karnataka Sene Pade, accusing the Congress government of "commercialising faith" and exploiting devotees.
Activists of the outfit staged a protest in front of the old Deputy Commissioner's Office here, demanding immediate withdrawal of the new ticket and restoration of the earlier Rs 50 and Rs 300 special darshan categories.
Launching a scathing attack on the government, the protesters alleged that the Congress administration was "looting devotees in the name of devotion" and turning one of Karnataka's most revered shrines into a revenue-generating exercise. They claimed the new pricing would discriminate against ordinary pilgrims, particularly those visiting the temple during the highly auspicious Ashada Fridays.
The outfit alleged that while devotees with the financial means would be allowed quicker access to the deity, thousands of ordinary pilgrims would be forced to endure longer waiting times. It also criticised the reported discontinuation of the Rs 50 and Rs 300 special darshan tickets from this year's Ashada festivities, saying the move deprived devotees of affordable options.
Questioning the steep fee, the protesters claimed that no comparable Rs 2,000 special darshan ticket existed at major pilgrimage centres such as Tirupati, Dharmasthala or Kukke Subrahmanya. They described the move as unprecedented and accused the government of monetising religious sentiments.
The Karnataka Sene Pade further alleged irregularities in the distribution of devotee kits linked to the premium ticket, claiming that only a few devotees received the kits while authorities accounted for a much larger number. The organisation demanded a transparent audit of the scheme and alleged misuse of public funds by the Chamundi Hill Authority.
The protesters also accused the government of failing to provide adequate basic amenities to the lakhs of devotees expected to visit the hill shrine during the Ashada festivities. They demanded improved drinking water and sanitation facilities, besides a direct darshan system for pilgrims who climb the hill on foot.
The outfit said that instead of imposing an expensive premium darshan system, the government should focus on facilitating smooth and dignified access to the temple for all devotees.
Citing growing opposition to the move, the protesters noted that members of the erstwhile Mysore royal family, including MP Yaduveer Wadiyar and Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, had also criticised the introduction of the Rs 2,000 special darshan ticket and favoured continuation of the earlier arrangements.
Demanding immediate intervention by the state government, the Karnataka Sene Pade urged Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to withdraw the Rs 2,000 special darshan scheme and restore the previous ticket categories before the Ashada Friday celebrations begin.
UNI BDN