A glittering example from Karnataka to fight bigotry

By Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: The message from the jewellers in Karnataka is loud and clear: Gold has no caste or religion.

The statement came in response to calls from rightwing Hindutva groups to boycott Muslim jewellers during Akshaya Tritiya, a festival Hindus consider auspicious to buy gold. This year, the festival falls on May 3.

Karnataka Jewellers’ Association president TV Saravana condemned the boycott call and said customers are free to visit any jewellery of their choice whether it is owned by a Hindu or Muslim. “Customers are intelligent enough to visit jewellery shops that cater to their needs,” he said.

According to Karnataka Jewellers’ Association, 30,000 gold jewellery shops are functioning across the state and 30 per cent of them belong to Muslims.

The boycott campaign was launched by right-wing Hindutva social media handles after Malabar Gold & Diamonds issued an Akshaya Tritiya advertisement featuring film star Kareena Kapoor. What ‘irked’ them was Kareena’s appearance in the ad without a bindi on her forehead.

Leader of right-wing Hindutva group, Sri Ram Sena, Pramod Muthalik alleged Malabar Gold & Diamonds, owned by Muslims, has embarrassed Hindus by releasing an advertisement featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Malabar Gold and Diamonds, however, refuted the allegation. “Ours is a corporate company. It is not owned by a particular community. It has investors from all communities,’’ the company said.