Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jun 26: Two days after Sri Krishna Math led by Paraya Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji hosted Iftar get-together followed by Namaz for Muslims, winning the hearts of people as well getting criticised by a section of the online community on social media, Sri Rama Sene (SRS) leader Pramod Muthalik on Monday June 16 condemned the Iftar Souharda Koota, stating that socialising with 'cow slaughterers' was an 'insult' to the Hindu community.
Muthalik was in Udupi to hold talks with Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math on the Iftar Souharda Koota, and to urge him not to hold such get-togethers inside the Math again. However, during the talks that went on for more than half an hour, Pejawar Swamiji firmly told Muthalik that he had nothing wrong in holding the Iftar Koota, and criticised him for trying to create disharmony.
Speaking to reporters later, Muthalik said, "Two days ago Iftar Koota was held in Sri Krishna Math. I have cancelled all my programmes today to come here and strongly condemn it. It is an insult to the Hindu community to invite cow slaughters inside the Krishna Math and honour them by holding a harmony programme. It does not suit either the Math or the Swamiji.
"Sri Vishweshateertha is not Swamiji for Udupi alone but for the entire Hindu community and beacon for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. When Hindu leaders are laying down their lives to protect cows, calliing cow slaughterers to the Math premises and giving them respect is unnacceptable. The entire state is angry at this move by the Math," he said.
Asked what Pejawar Swamiji had told him during the talks, he said, "Pejawar Swamiji said what he did was right and he was giving respect to a festival of another religion. He said religion tolerance is one of the basic tenets of Hinduism. We are not against religious tolerance, but against holding Iftar get-together inside the Math premises and offering prayers here is wrong.
"Is there any example of Ganeshotsava or Ugadi being celebrated in the premises of any mosque? Being a Hindu leader, if Swamiji does this, what will happen to us who protect cows. What kind of message is he conveying to the cow protectors? This Iftar Koota may be continued by the next Swamiji who ascends the Paryaya Peetha too, hence we should condemn it and not allow it to happen again," Muthalik said.
"Political parties are competing with each other to host Iftar parties, but when it comes to Math, it is a question of Hindu religion and culture. It is not political," he added.
He also said that his talks with Pejawar Swamiji failed. "Sri Rama Sene will discuss this matter further and decide on the next course of action," he added.
Sri Rama Sene creating unnecessary outrage: Pejawar Swamiji
During the talks, Pejawar Swamiji firmly stuck to his stance that there was nothing wrong in hosting Iftar Koota for Muslims.
"Muslims have always supported me, whether during Paryaya or Udupi chalo protest. Some people are trying to create Hindu-Muslim conficts by giving unwanted statements.
"Neither the Hindu community nor the Math was harmed in any way by hosting Iftar Koota. It was a good initiative that showed that Hindus are tolerant and welcoming. It will foster warmth and affection for the Hindus in the hearts of the Muslims," he said.
On Muthalik's objection to allow Namaz in the Math premises, he said, "The Namaz was offered in the public dining hall which is outside the temple, and in accordance with the practice of the Muslim community. It has not demeaned the Hindu religion in any way, but some people want to create intolerance. Sri Krishna Math has been striving to foster Hindu-Muslim unity for ages."
Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji further said, "I do not think it was disrespectful to the Hindu community. It is said that most of the people belonging to Hindu community also eat beef, but we cannot boycott them. One can try to convince them not to eat beef. Sri Rama Sene is creating unnecessary outrage in Hindu society, which should not happen. I did whatever I thought was right and fair. I am an independent person. I never insulted Hindu religion by organizing the get-together.
"In 1904, one of our senior swamijis had received offerings from Haji Abdullah at his house. Even Sri Madhwacharya had good relation with the Muslim community. As many as 800 years ago, Mantralaya Math’s land was donated by Muslim sultan to Raghavendra Math’s swamiji. Sathyabhodha Swamiji of Uttaradhi Math was in good terms with the minorities. Just like all of them, I too intend to be in good terms with the Muslim community. There should be peaceful co-existence between people," he added.
"Members of the Muslim community have invited me for many programmes and I have visited inaugural functions of many mosques. I was received warmly in areas like Bhatkal, Kasargod and some parts of Uttara Kannada district. All is well, but Sri Rama Sene looks disappointed," he said.