Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Nov 25: Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Paryaya Pejawar Math on Saturday, November 25 said that though untouchability existed in the earlier decades, it has reduced a lot now.
Addressing media after morning session of the second day of 3-day Dharma Sansad, he said, “Untouchability existed in 1947. In 1977, I visited a colony of ‘Harijans’ in 1977 for which I was condemned by various math heads. Even then, I went ahead and supported ‘Harijans’. The same swamijis and math heads support me now. Untouchability has not completely been eradicated from India. We are trying hard to eradicate it completely.”
To a question from the media about the existence of caste-based discrimination, Swamiji said, “This does not happen anymore at Sri Krishna Math. This might be happening in others maths.”
On another query about untouchability and inter-caste marriages, Swamiji said that those are two different concepts. “Dalits and other castes sit together and have meals nowadays. Once we eradicate untouchability, issues on inter-caste marriages can be solved.”
Answrering a query on the construction of Ram Mandir, Swamiji said, “The Supreme Court should have given a positive verdict. The central government should support us. We want a Ram Mandir at the Ram Janmabhoomi.”
Speaking on the issue of reservation, he said, “We do not have any problem with reservation. But that should be the same for the majority and minorities. There should be no preferential treatment. Everyone should be treated equally.”
Surendra Kumar Jain joint general secretary, VHP said, “Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia in the morning session spoke about making India a untouchabilty-free nation. He also spoke about running a campaign ‘Hindu Parivar Mithra Yojana’ where people from other castes will visit Dalits’ homes and vice-versa.”
Speaking on the state government taking over temple administration, Surendra Kumar Jain said, “The government is trying to take over the reins of the temple, not mosques or churches. They think that we Hindus are weak. Once the government takes over the temples, the sanctity of the temple will reduce automatically. The government is only after the money and the temple property. It is all a political game.”
“The people of other castes are not trying to oppress Dalits. This is a plan of the ‘secular-mafia’ which trying to divide the society on the lines of caste. The righteous one will be victorious,” he said.
On conversion, Surendra Kumar Jain said, “VHP is not against Dalits. Unrest in the society happens due to conversion. We do not want forceful ‘Ghar Wapsi’. A strict law on conversion should be brought into force.”
Answering a query of media about the absence of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Dharma Sansad, Prof M B Puranik, chief secretary, Dharma Sansad said that he is on constant touch on phone and will arrive if time permits.