Protests erupt as Karnataka govt performs special prayers for rain

Bengaluru: A group of rationalists staged a protest against the Karnataka coalition government for conducting special pujas in temples coming under the Muzrai department. The special prayers, called ‘Parjanya’ are conducted to appease rain Gods. The Muzrai department had issued a notice to as many as 34,000 temples in Karnataka, directing them to conduct a special puja for rain. It also had allocated Rs 10,001 for each temple to conduct the puja. Rationalists have demanded that an anti-superstition law should come into effect and the government should stop encouraging superstitious practices.