Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Feb 24: Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Udupi Pejavar Mutt called upon the people to unite for the cause of conserving the invaluable ancient heritage and culture of India and to carry forward the legacy left behind by the ancestors. He was delivering benedictory address at the Hindu Samajotsava organized at Gandhi Maidan here under the auspices of Sri Hanumad Shakti Jagarana Abhiyana Samiti on Thursday February 24.

He also urged the Hindus to cultivate the strength to absorb shocks that might come like a bolt from the blue, uninvited and unexpected. “If those who worship our gods are driven out by our community, they may get lured into joining other religions. We should never allow this to happen,” he said.

Samiti president, B J Chinnappa, presided. Bajrang Dal national convener, Subash Hegde, delivered the main address. Vishwa Hindu Parishat (VHP) Karnataka province organizing secretary, Keshav Hegde, delivered introductory address.  Bajrang Dal Karnataka convener, Sooryanarayan, south province convener, Manju, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Sangh Chalak, Mani Kariappa, and VHP district secretary, K S Devaiah, were present at the dais.

During a procession taken out earlier in the day, some miscreants pelted stones at some shops belonging to a community, resenting the fact that they remained open on Samajotsava day. Shops like Crown Furniture, Body Talk, a fruits shop near Bhatkal mosque in Mahadevapet, and  office of SASF were among those targeted by some unruly youth. Angered by the attack, the shopkeepers held a protest near the main circle later.

With the intervention of the district superintendent of police (SP), Manjunath Annigeri, the protestors calmed down, paving way for diffusing the situation. The SP promised action against the miscreants. Three cases stand registered in connection with the above incident. In two cases, miscreants have been named, while the third complaint has merely said that miscreants threw stones at them. The Muslim merchants from the town have decided to observe voluntary bandh on Friday February 25, in protest against the above incident. They have also sought the support of other communities.

The merchants said that they will go in a procession to the office of the district deputy commissioner to a present a memorandum on Friday. A new forum, ‘Kodagu District Muslim Welfare Forum’, has been set up for the purpose.