Bengaluru: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has raised objection to Dakshina Kannada District Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim’s name being mentioned on the invitation card for Mahalingeshwara temple function.
Ibrahim will be hosting the Mahalingeshwara temple festival, which would commence from April 10.
The controversy erupted after VHP members on Tuesday raised objection to Ibrahim's name being printed on the invite of the temple's annual festival, as he was a Muslim.
According to 'The Hindu', Congress Puttur MLA Shakuntala Shetty said, she would “consider removing the name of the officer” after VHP protest.
However, a day later she retracted her statement saying, she had no problems with Ibrahim being invited as the host. Shetty was earlier associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Meanwhile, speaking to 'CNN-IBN', Ibrahim said nobody had objected when he worked for the temple.
Mentioning his works, the officials said he had sanctioned CCTVs and a vehicle for the temple.
The Karnataka government has thrown its weight behind Ibrahim saying, the invite to the Deputy Commissioner is a normal procedure.
Karnataka Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Higher Education Minister TB Jayachandra said, “The state government is fully behind Ibrahim and there is no question of removing his name just because some fanatic elements demand that."
