Udupi: A controversy has erupted ahead of the Shiroor Mutt Paryaya Mahotsav over conflicting claims on the participation of the Udupi Zilla Muslim Sauharda Paryaya Samithi in the ‘hore kanike’ procession scheduled for Jan 13.The samithi on Saturday announced that it would take part in the festival, but the Paryaya Reception Committee said no permission had been granted. The samithi said it would continue supporting the Shiroor Mutt Paryaya festival and planned to participate in the ‘hore kanike’ procession. It also said it would serve welcome drinks to thousands of devotees during the ‘pura pravesha’ of Vedavardhana Thirtha Swami on Jan 9.Addressing reporters, samithi president Haji Abubakar Parkala said Udupi had a long tradition of Hindu-Muslim unity. “As part of this tradition, our samithi had earlier organised blood donation camps during the Pejavara Mutt Paryaya,” he said.Udupi MLA and Shiroor Paryaya Reception Committee president Yashpal Suvarna, however, said no permission had been given to the samithi to offer ‘hore kanike’. He said the samithi had neither shared any details with the Paryaya Mahotsav Hore Kanike Committee, nor had the mutt sought such support. “Decisions related to ‘hore kanike’ rest solely with the committee,” he clarified.Parkala claimed the samithi would distribute 10,000 free water bottles to devotees on the day of the Paryaya Mahotsav on Jan 18, and that members of the Christian community had also expressed willingness to join the ‘hore kanike’ procession.Reacting to this, Suvarna said the samithi’s sudden press conference announcing ‘hore kanike’, water distribution and use of duff instruments were attempts to create confusion and hurt Hindu religious sentiments.During the procession, community members plan to bring groceries and vegetables for mass feeding at the Bhojana Shaala of Sri Krishna Mutt. The ‘hore kanike’ procession will begin from Jodu Katte at 3 pm and proceed to the Sri Krishna Mutt premises.
