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

Udupi, Jul 8: Activists of Solidarity Youth Movement (SYM) held a protest in front of the Clock Tower here on Friday, July 8, condemning the rising communal tension in the nation.

Addressing the protesters, G Rajashekhar, district president of Karnataka Komu Sauharda Vedike (KKSV) said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Yad Vashem in Israel and paid homage to the victims of the Holocaust. He has forgotten his own people here who have been massacred in the name of communal differences. There are many who lost their families in Kashmir and Gujarat. The government should provide justice to them."

Speaking on cow vigilantes, he said, "The cow protectors should understand the fact that, while beef is consumed by Muslims, Hindu families are leading their lives by selling cow skin. If the government ban beef, it means they have snatched their daily bread. Many people will lose their jobs."

Appreciating the efforts of Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math in maintaining peace between religions, Rajshekhar said, "I welcome and appreciate the step taken by Pejawar Swamiji in organising Iftar Koota. Swamiji believes and follows RSS' second Sarsanghchalak M S Golwalkar principles in the matter of building a Hindu nation. Everyone has to recall the violence in the Ayodhya issue. Swamiji should quit the leadership of the committee that works on Sri Ram Janmabhoomi and also oppose the building of a Hindu nation."

Writer A K Kukkila said, "Some people enjoy posting videos of communal violence. They are not fit to be human beings. If PM Modi comes to Udupi, he has to visit Praveen Poojary's (who was allegedly killed by right-wing outfits) house before going anywhere. Why is the union government silent in the case of Gau Rakshaks who brutally lynch people in the name of cow protection? Public has to stand against injustice and violence in the society."

"Let Pejawar Swamiji conduct an Iftar Koota in the name of Praveen Poojary. Muslims do not want meal in the name of Iftar. Swamiji should take one step forward by organising this programme. Anti-social elements should be isolated from the society. Swamiji should visit the houses of the victims of cow-protectors' atrocities," he added.

Hussain Kodibengre, Idris Hoode, K Paniraj and others were present.