Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Updated

Mangaluru Jul 2: Sri Rama Sene, Hindu Jana Jagriti Samiti and Akhil Bharath Hindu Mahasabha on Sunday July 2 staged a protest at Lalbagh here against Paraya Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji for hosting Iftar get-together followed by Namaz for Muslims at Sri Krishna Math recently.

Addressing the protesters, state convener of Hindu Mahasabha Dharmendra said, "We strongly condemn the step taken by Paryaya Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of hosting Iftar get-together for Muslims followed by Namaz at Sri Krishna Math. We are emotionally attached to Sri Krishna Math but this step by Swamiji has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community which is unacceptable.

"As elections are inching closer, Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji has become the victim of political conspiracy for the sake of vote bank. Hindu-Muslim rift was created after Ayodhya clashes where people of both the communities lost their lives. Being a religious leader he could have sorted out the issue of Ayodhya in the name of unity," he said.

He also condemned the statement made by Pejawar Swamiji that the land of Sri Krishna Math was donated by Haji Abdullah. "Pejawar Swamiji should know that this country was always a Hindu Rashtra and Muslims came here later. He should take back his statement. This shows that age is catching up with him. He also needs to apologize for hosting Iftar koota at Sri Krishna Math premises and also step down as the head of Sri Krishna Math," he demanded.

Questioning the BJP's silence on the issue, he said, "Five years ago, when Congress leader Janardhan Poojary hosted Iftar Koota at Kudroli temple, BJP had protested against the senior congress leader but today BJP has turned out to be a mute spectator and defended the initiative taken by Swamiji. Today the Hindu community is being targeted and brutally murdered and attacked, cow thefts are also happening every now and then but none of them (BJP leaders) have raised their voice. Recently a Hindu family in Kaup was converted to Islam, but no voice has been raised so far. Looking at the frequent attacks on Hindu community, we are even ready keep aside our preachings and take up arms in our hands."

Sri Rama Sene district secretary Prasad Ujire said, "We have deep respect towards Pejawar Swamiji but inviting Muslims for Iftar get-together and allowing Namaz in the Math premises is unacceptable. Under Swamiji's guidance itself we fought for Ayodhya, now in the name of unity Swamiji is hosting Iftar Koota at the Math which has created lot of confusion among the Hindu community. If you (Pejawar Swamiji) had any concern towards uniting Hindu and Muslims, you should have thought it when there was rift during the time of Ayodhya incident and people would not have lost their lives."

Raj Maarla, district convenor, Sri Rama Sene, Chandra Mugera and Harish Amtadi and others were present.

Earlier Report

Udupi: Iftar Koota row - SRS offers puja, HJJS demands Pejawar Swamiji's apology

Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 2: Activists of Sri Rama Sene and Hindu Jana Jagruti Samiti on Sunday July 2 expressed their objection to the recent Iftar Souharda Koota, hosted at Sri Krishna Math under the guidance of Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji, by holding bhajans and offering puja to Lord Krishna near the Clock Tower here.

Addressing the gathering, secretary of Sri Rama Sene Mangaluru unit Mohan Bhat said, "This is not a protest. By offering puja to Lord Krishna, we want to express that our feelings have been hurt.

"We are doing this as representatives of the entire Hindu community. We have no intention to spark communal unrest. We Hindus are too flexible when it comes to following our religion. Before conducting the Iftar programe there should have been thorough deliberation and an effort to collect everyone's viewpoints. We are hurt that this was not done," he said.

In an indirect jibe at district Youth Congress which had said that it would not allow Sri Rama Sene to protest, Bhat said, "No one should do politics in this matter. They said they form a human chain to stop us. Where was their human chain when Udupi Chalo protest happened last year? Those who play politics in this issue should remember that elections are approaching and a situation may arise where they may come to streets.

"Whenever any harm has been inflicted on Hindu religion, Sri Rama Sene has been the first to stand up and raise voice. This time too, it is not different," he added.

"Pejawar Swamiji is a guru for the entire Hindu community. We cannot stand against him as we have learnt religious principles from him. But we object to the fact that Namaz was offered in the Sri Krishna Math premises. It could have been done outside the Math, we would have had no problem then. In fact, if Pejawar Swamiji invites us to an Iftar Koota, we will be willing to participate," he said.

Hindu Jana Jagruti Samiti (HJJS) convenor Vijaykumar said, "Every part of the Math premises is part of the temple too. The Sri Krishna Math should be purified. Neither Iftar Koota nor Namaz should have been done in the premises. We are protesting against letting them (Muslims) break fast and perform Namaz in the premises.

"Pejawar Swamiji should apologise to the Hindu community. Injustice has been done to us and we feel cheated. We met Pejawar Swamiji and tried to convince him, but he refused to change his stance and continued to support the Iftar Koota.

"Let there be Ugadi celebration and bhajans in mosques, only then will 'souharda' (harmony) have true meaning," he said, adding that such programmes as Iftar Koota should not be organized in the Math premises ever again.

Though the protest was peaceful, the police deployed tight security at Krishna Math and on several roads as well as the protest venue as a precautionary measure.

Dinesh Pangala, SRS district president, Jayaram Bhat, spokesperson and others were present.