Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 12: The first welcome committee meeting on the preparation for the three-day all-India Religious Parliament, to be held this November, was convened on Saturday August 12 at Vittala Sabha Bhavan here. The mega religious meet is being organized by the VHP from November 24 to 26.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Vishweshwateertha Swamiji said, "The Dharma Samsad (Religious Parliament) will be open for all without any discrimination of caste or religion. Religious parliaments held in the past have brought many changes in the nation. Thousands of sages will arrive from far off places."
On the issue of the construction of Ram Mandir, he said, "The doors of Ram Mandir should open. The issue is now in the Supreme Court and I hope the court verdict comes in December. Discussions would be held during the Religious Parliament on the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, only after obtaining legal approval."
He urged people to participate in the religious event enthusiastically.
Dr Veerendra Hegde said, "There are two types of Dharma - one is the religion we practice, and the second is charity. Pejawar swamiji has inspired me to engage in social service. We have contributed to the renovation of more than 200 crematoriums and over 150 temples.
"Communal conflicts are increasing in the name of religion. If we consider all religion as equal, there would will be no conflict. Everyone should unite by keeping aside trivial issues and join hands in building a strong nation. Such programmes (such as the Religious Parliament) should be an inspiration to the younger generation. Let us organise this programme systematically to strengthen the nation," he said.
In a separate press meet held after the meeting, Pejawar Swamiji said, "Various problems of Hindu dharma will be discussed in the presence of senior saints and sages. This is a unique convention. There will be more people from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi participating in the convention. The Religious Parliament should become a strong base for the unity of Hindu dharma. There should not be any caste or religious discrimination. The convention should help in building a strong nation.
"There will be no specific issue to discuss except the Ram Mandir. My stance on the location of Ram Mandir will not change," he asserted.
National general secretary of RSS Sampath Roy and VHP working president M B Puranik announced the names of the office-bearers of the welcome committee.
Sri Vishweshwateertha Swamiji of Paryaya Pejawar Math will preside over the programme. Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dr Veerendra Hedge will be the executive president of the welcome committee and will guide the members. Dr Sandhya Pai will be the chief editor of the souvenir of the Religion Parliament.
Over 2000 people from across the country are expected to participate in the meet. A day-long conference on the Hindu society will be held during the event.
During the preparatory meet, Sri Vishweshwateertha Swamiji unveiled the emblem of the event. Vilas Nayak, presidential treasurer presented the budget set aside for the event.
Gopal Hosur, Arya Lakshmi Narayana Alva, Vijay Sankeshwar, Dr Raman Gowder, Dr Sandhya Pai and others were present.
Committee office-bearers
Vice-presidents - Dr Vaman Shenoy, Ganesh Rao, Mohan Alva, Raghunath Somayaji, Chidananda, Mallepuram G. Venkatesha, Maladi Ajit Kumar Rai, Vijaya Vithalanath Shetty, Jagannath Shenoy, Chetan Narayan, Hariyappa Kotian, Ramesh Bangera, Nandakumar, Vijay Shettar, Balbir Singh, Manohar Shetty, Dr Vijaya Lakshmi Deshamane, Dr S R Rama Goudar, Gopal Hosur
General secretary - M B Puranik
Secretaries - Sharan Pumpwell, Muniraj, Premanand Shetty, B Suresh, Manjunath Swami, Govardhan Rao, Vilas Nayak
Co-ordinators - Jagadish Shenava, Deepak Rajagopal
Chief editor of the souvenior - Dr Sandhya Pai