Mangaluru: In a joint press conference of Vishwa Hindu Parishat (VHP), BJP, Bhajaranga Dal and ABVP on Wednesday, condemned Ivan D’Souza’s move to celebrate Deepavali at Kadri Temple premises.

Addressing the press personnel VHP district President Jagadeesh Shenava said that let Ivan D’Souza to covert as a Hindu before celebrating Deepavali festival in temple. Christians opposes idol worship, which is the core theme of Hinduism. He can celebrate Deepavali in Church or at any other places, but not in temple.

Pranthiy Karyadhyaksh of VHP Prof M B Puranik said “We are not objecting the programme, but a person other than Hindu celebrating the festival inside the temple premises is objectionable. Recently in Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple Car festival invitation row, former DC A B Ibrahim’s name had created chaos in the district, just because he is a Muslim.”

He further said that they have submitted a memorandum to the district commissioner and police commissioner requesting to deny the permission to Ivan D’Souza to the proposed programme.

“People with political intention should not hold programmes at temples. RSS went to Infant Jesus shrine and celebrated the Rakhi festival, but they were invited for the programme. But here nobody invited Ivan D’Souza to hold programme in Kadri Temple,” he added.

It may be recalled that Ivan D’Souza had decided to hold Deepavali celebrations at Kadri Temple premises and had planned to distribute 5 kg rice to 1000 families and free spectacles to 400 needy people, on October 29.

SHaran Pumpwell, Harish Poonja, Gopal Kutthar and others were present.