Mangalore: Untouchability not handiwork of Brahmins - Pejawar Swamiji
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV/SP)
Mangalore, Apr 22: Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math insisted that Brahmins are not to be blamed for giving birth to the practice of untouchability. He said this theory has a basis.
Delivering the benedictory address at the ‘Brahmana Jagruti Sammelan’ held in the city on Sunday April 21, the Swamiji said that the practice of untouchability was in vogue even before Brahmins came into being as a separate section of Hindu society. He felt that the practice of untouchability is wrong.
“Talented Brahmin youth are facing injustice because of the reservation criteria. On the other hand, several people, who claim themselves to be part of the intelligentsia, point their accusing fingers at Brahmins for every wrong,” he rued. He advised the Brahmin community members to be prepared to bravely cross the sea of challenges through wholehearted efforts.
“Brahmins have come together not for harming anyone. Unity is a way to strengthen our exalted culture. This congregation should never be a forum just for the upliftment of Brahmins as a community. The responsibility of conserving the Hindu society is upon everyone of us. We are backed by the vision of human welfare,” he added.
The Swamiji also compared the belief systems like Dwaita, Adwaita, Vishishtadwaita, etc to the branches of the ancient tree known as ‘Sanatana Dharma’.
Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji of Hosanagar Ramachandrapur Math called upon different factions within the Brahmin community to unite under a single umbrella, to be able to achieve progress and to address the injustices they are facing. “Coming together does not harm anyone. That will prove to be a good move for the community as a whole,” he felt. He said that unlike in the past, when people were protected by kings in case of injustices, the people need to own the responsibility of protecting their interests.
Sri Vidyaprasannateertha Swamiji of Subrajanya Math, Sri Vishwaprasannateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, Jitakamanandaji of Ramakrishna Math, Karnataka Bank managing director, P Jayaram Bhat, K N Vasudeva Adiga of Adigas Group of Hotels, veteran advocate, H Subrahmanya Jois, Dr H V Narasimhamurty, Vijayaraghava Padvatnayaka, M B Muliya, C S Rao, Dr Prabhakar Joshi, M B Purnik, and several others were present.
President of Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, welcomed. Journalist, Manohar Prasad, compered the programme. Madhuri Sriram proposed vote of thanks. Scholar, Bannanje Govindacharya, Bheemeshwar Joshi of Horanadu temple, as well as chairman and managing director of Indian Overseas Bank, M Narendra, were present.
Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji of Hosanagar Ramachandrapur Math called upon different factions within the Brahmin community to unite under a single umbrella, to be able to achieve progress and to address the injustices they are facing. “Coming together does not harm anyone. That will prove to be a good move for the community as a whole,” he felt. He said that unlike in the past, when people were protected by kings in case of injustices, the people need to own the responsibility of protecting their interests.
Dr P Sadananda Mayya in his presidential address said present day Brahmins are in the field of business but they are not organized. "In the name of multi-cultural system Brahmins are losing thinking power, culture, systems and their practice. Earlier Brahmins lived in joint families but today they follow the nuclear family system. Brahmins have even changed their food patterns and are not systemized anymore. We should all work to protect our existence," he said.
Sri Vidyaprasannateertha Swamiji of Subrajanya Math, Sri Vishwaprasannateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, Jitakamanandaji of Ramakrishna Math, Karnataka Bank managing director, P Jayaram Bhat, K N Vasudeva Adiga of Adigas Group of Hotels, veteran advocate, H Subrahmanya Jois, Dr H V Narasimhamurty, Vijayaraghava Padvatnayaka, M B Muliya, C S Rao, Dr Prabhakar Joshi, M B Purnik, and several others were present.
President of Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, welcomed. Journalist, Manohar Prasad, compered the programme. Madhuri Sriram proposed vote of thanks.
Scholar, Bannanje Govindacharya, Bheemeshwar Joshi of Horanadu temple, as well as chairman and managing director of Indian Overseas Bank, M Narendra, were present.