Mangaluru: Mangaluru City North MLA B A Mohiuddin Bava’s visit to a temple and accepting prasad from the priest has stirred up a hornet’s nest.

A video clipping of Bava visiting Kordabbu Daivasthana in Hosabettu in his constituency is being circulated widely on social media. Many accuse him of violating Islamic rules by ‘visiting a temple for political gains’.

In fact, Bava had visited the Daivasthana on Friday. After offering prayers to the deity with folded hands, the MLA accepted a tender coconut as prasad from the poojari. He later drank the coconut water in front of the shrine.

While many questioned the logic of the MLA visiting the temple after the declaration of elections,a few accused him of forgetting Islamic rules. “Has he forgotten the rules of Islam regarding doing actions for political gains? No Muslim needs to do this type of dirty politics that forgets Allah,” wrote a netizen, while sharing the video of Bava. Another commented, “Sri Moidin Poojary”.

In his reaction to the controversy, the MLA said Islam teaches its followers to respect other religions too. “I have been participating in programmes of all religions, since I believe that God is one.

The Quran has taught me to love my religion and also to respect other religions. Even our prophet has shown respect to other religions. Now that elections are round the corner, a few leaders of a political party are making my temple visit an issue.

Their intention is to defeat me in the election at any cost. Hence, they are trying to portray me as an anti-Muslim,” Bava said, adding that his respect for other religions is within the framework of Islam.