Politicians, civic leaders, religious gurus, and even a few foreigners have expressed their distaste for rave party at St Mary’s Island.
Condemning the incident, many took out a protest march on the streets of Udupi on Tuesday.
The protesters shouted slogans against the tourism department, MLA Raghupathi Bhat and the district administration.
“Udupi is known for its Krishna temple. Permitting a music channel to air the party and the lewd dancing is bringing down the morals of Udupi. People voted for the MLA, keeping in mind the principles of ethics he so prudently campaigned during the elections in 2008. Now, he has allowed Udupi’s name to go down in the national media as a hot spot for rave parties,” said Deviprasad Shetty, district president of Janata Dal.
Nityananda Volakad, an independent councillor in Udupi City Municipal Council and convener of the Udupi district Nagarika Samithi, staged a protest with his supporters on Car Street.
A few European women who have embraced Indian way of life participated in the meeting. “Many people from European countries were denouncing the present European lifestyles and were turning towards India for spiritual and social guidance. We are wearing sarees, we eat satvik (simple vegetarian) food, and sing bhajans,” said Chandramohini, a European converted to Hinduism. Several women’s organisations too staged a protest.
Jayaprakash Hegde, a Congress leader who also participated in a party-organised protest meet in Udupi, said: “I am surprised that the rave party did not elicit any reaction from the reactionary groups in Sangh Parivar. This is because it is supported by the MLA of Udupi, Raghupathi Bhat, who inaugurated the fest.
Perhaps the leaders and workers of Sangh Parivar were given free passes and other freebies.”
Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt, Lakshmivara Thirtha, said that the place dedicated to Madhvacharaya has been treated in an unholy manner. “This is sacrilegious,” he said, adding that the matter will be discussed in the council of ashtamaths.
The fishermen community has also condemned the rave party at St Mary’s Island.
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