Do not want to create Communal Issues, Diwali Celebrations Venue Shifted- Ivan

Do not want to create Communal Issues, Diwali Celebrations Venue Shifted- Ivan D’Souza

Mangaluru: “I have decided to celebrate Diwali by inviting the people from all walks of life. In this connection, we have formed a committee of 50 members from all section of life. Last year we had celebrated Iftar and this time I thought of celebrating the Diwali. Accordingly, with the help of my friend Amrit Kadri, we had booked the premises of Kadri Temple to hold the Diwali celebrations. I do not know in what way the celebrations will hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community”, said Chief Whip of Karnataka Legislative Assembly Ivan D’Souza in a press meet held at his office, MCC premises here on October 27.

Ivan further said, “I have no intentions of playing with the sentiments of the Hindu community. My friend Amrit Kadri suggested me to organise the programme since every year the Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated at the Kadri Temple, since it is a cultural programme, we booked the hall in Shri Manjunatheshwara Temple Kadri. We filled all the necessary forms and booked the premises paying Rs 3750 for the Abhishek Mandir. Diwali is celebrated by people from all walks of life so we have invited friends from all sections of the society. Accordingly, we printed the invitations, When I was in Shivamogga, I came to know that there is was an objection from VHP and Bajrang Dal in celebrating Diwali at the Kadri Temple. I have now changed the venue near Kadri Park as I do not intend to create any problems for the Diwali celebrations.”

When asked while booking the Temple premises, whom they contacted, Ivan said, “I do not want to mention any name of the person who spoke to me while booking for the programme. I spoke to one of the officials of the temple management and booked the premises”.

When asked about celebrating Diwali every year, Ivan said, “Every year we celebrate different festivals. The VHP and Bajrang Dal want to create problems by objecting to the Diwali celebrations at the temple premises. Being a Chief Whip of the state Council and a responsible citizen I do not intend to create any misunderstanding so I have shifted the venue.

When asked about the statement by the VHP on Ivan converting to Hinduism to celebrate Diwali in the Temple, Ivan said, “The statement is not correct. We all are one. Prof Puranik was a teacher in a Catholic high School. He must be knowing better than me. He might have studied better than me about the endowment act. The Puttur incident and Diwali celebrations are two different events. I do not want to create any communal issues so we have shifted our programme”.