Karnataka: BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje flouts ban orders, takes darshan of Chamundi deity

MYSURU: After minister KS Eshwarappa and MP Pratap Simha, it was the turn of BJP MP from Chikkamagaluru-Udupi Shobha Karandlaje to defy the order restricting entry of devotees and public to the temple on Ashada Fridays.
Her visit to the temple has triggered outrage among devotees/public who say such preferential treatment to VVIPs is unfair.
Shobha Karandlaje climbed the 1,001 steps to reach atop Chamundi Hills on Friday and had darshan on July 17.
Elected representatives have the privilege of visiting the temple despite ban whereas the common man do not have the same freedom.
Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G Sankar had, on June 25, issued orders restricting entry of devotees to the shrine as part of the district administration's measures to arrest the spread of novel coronavirus. Since devotees visit the temple in large numbers during Ashada Fridays, DC had imposed a ban on the public/devotees entry on June 26, July 3, 10, 13, 14 and 17 to the temple.
Authorities and temple workers while confirming the visit of MPs, ministers and other elected representatives, were mum on the VVIPs flouting the district administration's prohibitory orders.
Chamundi temple chief priest Shashishekar Dixit told STOI that despite a ban on entry of devotees to the temple, poojas are being conducted as usual. Poojas start as early as 4.30am and temple doors remain open between 6.30am and 7.45am. As residents on the hill shrine have the privilege to visit the temple during the time, some of the elected representatives may have visited and had darshan, he stated.
MP Shobha Karandlaje didn’t respond to calls.