Hassan: JD(S) functionaries have criticised the district administration for not inviting former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda to Hasanamba Jatra Mahotsava, which begins on Oct 29, even as invitations were extended to other dignitaries.District minister KM Shivalingegowda and administration officials have invited chief minister DK Shivakumar, former chief minister Siddaramaiah and several ministers. However, they have not yet invited Gowda, who hails from Hassan district and traditionally receives an invitation at his Bengaluru residence.No official clarification has been issued on the delay. JD(S) leaders have asked whether it was politically motivated, an administrative lapse or due to another reason. Hassan JD(S) MLA HP Swaroop Prakash also expressed displeasure at not being involved in inviting dignitaries.“The minister and district administration officials travelled to Bengaluru and Mysuru to invite the chief minister and former chief minister. However, they have not visited Gowda’s residence in Bengaluru, even though he is there. The district administration and the minister must publicly explain why this has happened,” said JD(S) district spokesperson Raghu Hongere.The temple’s sanctum sanctorum will open after noon on the first Thursday of Ashwija month, and devotees will be allowed darshan until Nov 11. The district administration is arranging essential facilities for visitors.Hasanamba temple, one of Karnataka’s prominent religious attractions, opens only once a year and draws lakhs of devotees from Karnataka and elsewhere. Gowda, a devotee of the goddess, also visits the temple for darshan.The row follows a Sept controversy in which deputy commissioner KS Latha Kumari issued a notice to superintendent of police Shubhanwita over an alleged failure to act against people who violated prohibitory orders during the immersion of the city’s pandal Ganapati.
