Defying lockdown order, Hundreds attend Temple festival in Covid-19 hotspot Kalaburagi

Mangalore Today News Network

Kalaburagi,Apr 16, 2020: Amid the nationwide lockdown put in place to combat the Covid-19 spread, the people of Kalaburgi in Karnataka celebrated the Siddhalingeswara temple chariot festival on Thursday, Yahoo reported.

 

Hundreds gathered for the festival despite the lockdown and a ban on rituals of any kind taking place.

A case has been registered against temple management and those who gathered for the festival under Sections 188, 143, 269 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Police are also investigating whether it was the temple committee that held the procession or it was others who decided to go ahead with the ceremonies.

The police further added that a meeting was held with the temple committee before where they were asked to not hold the festival but that around 6 AM in the morning the festival was held regardless.

Kalaburagi is a coronavirus hotspot in Karnataka. The district has already seen 3 deaths due to the virus thus far, including the first casualty recorded in India.