Beltangady: All-religion Meet Focuses on Harmonious Co-existence
Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Nov 24: Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade defined religion as one which preaches the ideology of living together harmoniously. “People who have realized this ultimate truth and installed the Lord in their hearts can only be called as religious persons, not the ones who practice hypocrisy and observe practices just to show off their religious identities," he commented.
Delivering the introductory address at the all-religion meet held at Dharmasthala on Wednesday November 23, organized as part of the annual Lakshadeepotsava there, he expressed the desire that people who follow different principles and policies, and practice different religions, should come together, cogitate about the principles preached by their forefathers, and come to the conclusion that people of India need to be conscious of their responsibilities as Indian citizens, and know their duties of practicing nationalism. He said that such a step will enable people to control the competitive world of the modern era and lead it towards universal peace.
Expressing his stance against practices of black magic like sacrifice of animals and other practices of witchcraft, which he said people normally follow when in distress, he added that no such procedures are allowed in Dharmasthala. He said the devotees are being guided to lead in a path of devotion that is devoid of such practices at Dharmasthala.
Former ISRO chairman, Dr G Madhavan Nair, inaugurated the meet. He expressed concerns about the depletion of values and opined that value-based education alone can imbibe human values among the youth and teach them to follow humanitarian values and practice universal brotherhood.
MP, Maneka Gandhi, who presided over the meet, urged the government to ban all kinds of animal slaughter including cows, to protect animals from the verge of extinction.
D Surendra Kumar read out the citation of the inaugurator, while Dr B Yashovarma read out the citation of the president.
Dr Balasaheb Lokapur from Bagalkot, in his address, said that violence and religion can never go hand in hand. If violence happens, we can safely conclude those involved have strayed from thepath of righteousness, he concluded.
Moulvi Basheer Ahmed Umri from Bijapur hailed Hinduism as a universal religion. While reminding people that everyone is created by the Almighty and all are equal, he reiterated that Islam as a religion preaches peace.
Prof Judith Pinto from Mangalore also stressed the need for the people to find helplessness in every person and live in harmony with one another.
Dr Devaraj, principal of SDM College Mangalore, proposed vote of thanks. Dr B P Sampt Kumar and Dr B A Kumar Hegde presented the programme.