Bharatnatyam artist VP Manasiya was not allowed to dance in a temple in Kerala, which angered Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor. Shashi Tharoor even asked where is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam? Bharatnatyam artist VP Manasiya has faced opposition many times. Once she came under the target of Islamic organizations for classical dance.
Bharatanatyam artist VP Manasiya has alleged through Facebook that the Koodalmanikyam temple at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district of Kerala (which is under the state government-controlled Devaswom Board) barred her from a scheduled dance program in its premises because she was a Hindu. are not. VP Manasiya hails from Malappuram district of Kerala and is married to a Hindu boy.
When Manasiya was stopped from dancing, Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “Other religions go out of their way to attract others to respect their religion and open mosques, churches, gurudwaras and for all. Open the doors of the synagogues. But some of my Hindu colleagues prefer to close our temples to outsiders. Where is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”?
VP Manasiya said through his Facebook post that is it difficult to live in this country without religion? I was not even allowed to perform at the Sri Krishna temple in Guruvayur. Former Kerala minister KK Selja has criticized the temple’s decision. He said that we have to leave such mentality, otherwise communalism will increase.
On this incident, Pradeep Menon, chairman of the temple board said, “Manasiya is a famous dancer but according to the rules only Hindus are allowed to perform inside the temple. This 10-day long festival will be held in the temple premises. Around 800 artists will perform in various programs during the festival. As per our rules we have to ask the artists whether they are Hindu or non-Hindu. Manasiya has given in writing that he has no religion. So he was denied the venue. We are walking according to the existing tradition in the temple.”