Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JM)

Mangaluru, Jun 29: Former president of Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy and general secretary of district BJP minority morcha, Rahim Uchil on Thursday June 29 urged Sri Rama Sene (SRS) chief Pramod Muthalik and SRS activists to drop the protest against Pejawar Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji for hosting Iftar get-together for Muslims at Sri Krishna Math on the last day of Ramadan.

Addressing a press meet here, Rahim said that he has known Pejawar Swamiji from up close for the past twenty-odd years and has always been inspired by his way of living and his talk. He appreciated Pejawar Swamiji and said, "The reason for the respect and admiration I have towards Hindu culture is also Swamiji, who has been like a guru to me. He has always inspired me. He is not just a person who does puja but also a personality who involves himself in social activities like approaching the untouchables to get rid of the practice of untouchability, contructing houses for the poor, conducting peace conferences," he added.

Rahim Uchil, who had also been a participant in the Iftar Souharda Koota at Sri Krishna Math, further said that the Iftar was held in the dining hall of the Math where all people irrespective of religion and caste come and dine together, and not anywhere near the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The Namaz was offered in a place even more farther from the sanctorum," he said.

Answering those who had criticised him for participating in the Iftar get-together, he said, "According to our (Muslim) tradition we cannot break our fast in a place where idols are kept as we do not believe in idol worship. So we did it outside the sanctorum and by no means we intended to hurt anyone's sentiments. We know the rules of the Math and also have reverence to both religion's traditions.

"When it was time for Azaan, the prayer call was given in a very suttle way without disturbing anyone in the neighborhood even though we had a microphone at hand. We respect the rules of the Math and hence we did not create any loud sound unlike the usual Azaan.

"If Muthalik is protesting despite knowing the reality, it gives rise to suspicions that there is some invisible hand that is leading Muthalik to such acts," he said.

"We went to the the Math for Iftar on the invitation of the Pejawar Swamiji and not because we did not have anything prepared at home. It was not the food that was served that mattered but the invitation from a person like Swamiji who I have great respect towards. That was the only reason that made me go there.

"Neither we nor the Math has any agendas behind this. The only message that is given out is living in harmony by respecting the religious practices of all. However, if we have hurt the sentiments of anyone by participating in this Iftar get-together, we apologize from the depth of our hearts," he said.

In a veiled dig at the Congress, particularly at its youth wing which has openly supported the Pejawar Swamiji, said that some people have been 'pretending to be on the side of Pejawar Swamiji for the sake of fame'. "Certain people have never cooperated with Pejawar Swamiji in any of his religious and traditional acivities. Self-proclaimed secular parties who are politically trying to oppose Swamiji without even knowing anything about him or the Math are the reason for the rift within the society," he alleged.

Khaleed Nandavar and Santhosh Kumar were also present.