Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Nov 21: Firing a barrage at Bengaluru's 'Kiss of Love' campaign organizers, self-styled Swami Pranavananda on Friday November 21 said that he would lead a march to Bengaluru and attack the campaign armed with wooden sticks.
Addressing a press meet here, Pranavananda Swami, president of Akhila Bharata Hindu Mahasabha, said he would hold 'Bengaluru Chalo' march on November 29 to raid the Kiss of Love protest and stop the participants.
"Those who participate in our cause will be rewarded with Rs 1001 and given 'Dharmaraksha Deekshe'," he added.
"Those who wish to join us from throughout Karnataka can inform us and come to MG Road in Bengaluru on November 29," he added.
He also claimed that several MLAs, MPs and well-wishers of Hindu organizations have come forward to support his mission by providing financial support.
When journalists asked him to name the MLAs and MPs, he declined to do so, but said, "They are from different parties, but all are pro-Hindutva. Twelve MPs and 45 MLAs till date have supported us."
Condemning the campaign organizers further, he said, "If they want to kiss, let them go and kiss beggars, mentally ill patients, orphans and the aged. What they are doing is against Indian culture. We will also warn the parents of the participants.
"We should understand that it is an international strategy, and that Christian missionaries have a hand in this. 'Kiss of Love' is not Indian culture," he reiterated.
He slammed the state government for giving permission to hold the campaign and demanded that it should be withdrawn immediately.
He also said that on November 26 he would hold an indefinite hunger strike near DC's office in Mangaluru for this cause.
Attacking senior Congress leader and former union minister Janardhan Poojary for maintaining silence on the issue, Pranavananda Swami said Poojary should come out and speak on it.
He also informed that there will be a state-level convention from April 24 to 26, 2015 in which religious leaders from various place will participate.