VHP district Secretary Shivashankar, Bajrang Dal convener Premkiran and others submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner on the occasion.
The protestors said the roof of the cave of Datta Peeta caved in four years ago. However, the authorities have not taken any measure to repair it. “As the cave was not repaired, homa and havana was performed outside the cave last year,” they said and urged the authorities to repair the roof of the cave and allow to hold Datta Jayanthi inside the cave on December 20. They said that thousands of devotees visit the cave during Datta Jayanthi.
At least temporary repair works must be undertaken and provide Dattapaduke darshana for the devotees, the memorandum said.
‘Take action’
There are more than 60 abattoirs in Chikmagalur district. Inspite of giving complete details on the abattoirs operating in the district, the authorities have not taken any action against them. If the police fail to initiate action against the abattoirs, then VHP and Bajrang Dal members will shut them, they warned.
Supporting the protest, MP D V Sadananda Gowda said the contractors who have taken the contrat for repairing the Datta peeta cave have assured to speed up the work.
MLA C T Ravi said that some had approached the court with regard to the repair of the cave, which is delaying the work.
The MLA directed the police to initiate action against those abattoirs indulging in cow slaughter.