THRISSUR: Dancer V P Manzia said that she was banned from a dance programme in a temple in the name of being a non-Hindu. She showered criticisms at the officer bearers of Koodalmanikyam Temple via a Facebook post.

She mentioned in the post that a notice was printed about the dance programme fixed on April 21 as part of the temple festival. She said that later the office bearers called and asked her whether she has changed her religion.

Manzia was banned by the mosque committee and religious leaders for learning temple arts. She said that when her mother died, the religious leadership did not allow her to attend the last rites.

However, Manzia said that this is not a new experience and that she had faced a similar experience at the Guruvayur festival years ago.