Churches, mosques too will be opened from June 1, says CM Yediyurappa

A day after the State government took a decision on re-opening of nearly 35,000 Muzrai temples from June 1, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Wednesday said churches and mosques too will be allowed to re-open from June 1.

Speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary at the Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister said norms applicable to temples -- such as social distancing norms -- would also be applicable to churches and mosques.

“Once we say temples can open, churches and mosques should also open. There will be no restrictions on them. But the State government has been awaiting the Central government’s permission for re-opening…” he said. “We want permission from Delhi. I have written a letter, the expectation is that mostly we will get permission.”

On Tuesday Muzrai Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary held a meeting with the Chief Minister and had announced that government-owned temples which were closed for over two months owing to COVID-19 induced lockdown will be reopened from June 1.

Asked about opening of hotels and restaurants, he said he had written to the Prime Minister on that issue too. The Karnataka Pradesh Hotel and Restaurants’ Association (KPHRA) had called on Mr. Yediyurappa on Tuesday and urged the government to grant permission to re-open hotels and restaurants in the State.