Kochi: Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed "surprise" over the alleged ban on a non-Hindu artist from performing Bharatanatyam at a Temple in Kerala. Tharoor has said that it harms our religion in the eyes of others. In fact, an artist named Mansia VP was not allowed to perform in the temple. He had said that being a non-Hindu, she was not allowed to attend the programme. At the same time, the chairman of the temple board has said that non-Hindus cannot perform in the temple.

Speaking to the media, Congress leader Tharoor said, "I understand about the restrictions on going to the sanctum sanctorum in some temples. But it is a dance performance with other artists on the temple premises. Surprisingly, the temple is not allowing this.'' Tharoor further said, "I believe this is accomplishing poorly to our society and harming the perception of our religion in the eyes of people of other communities.''

In fact, Bharatnatyam artist Mansia VP had alleged that she was barred from attending the dance programme scheduled at the Kudalmaniquim temple in Inrinjalakuda in the Thrissur district. This temple is occupied by the Devasom Board of the government.

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