UDUPI: VHP international joint general secretary Surendra Kumar Jain said only unity among Hindus will keep the religion strong against all adversities.
Speaking at the consultative meeting of heads of all communities within the Hindu religion that was organised at Rajangana near Sri Krishna Mutt on the concluding day of the three-day Dharma Sansad on Sunday, Jain said Udupi has a great legacy of welcoming a saint from lower strata of Hindu society in philosopher-saint Kanakadasa. “Untouchability spoils the spirit of brotherhood among Hindus. The sculptor of Indian Constitution B R Ambedkar said only through guidance of saints in Hindu society, all demeaning practices such as untouchability can be eradicated,” he said.
Heads of various communities within Hindu society endorsing the observation of Surendra Kumar Jain came forward to express their views. Annayya Kulal who represents Kulala-Kambara community said governments are eyeing donation boxes of Hindu temples and mutts. “It is better we do away with the practice of collecting donations from devotees through donation boxes. Because money collected in that manner goes into treasury of government and the money is not used for developmental works of Hindu society,” he said.
Tippeswamy, a leader from Lingayat community from Chitradurga said there is a dangerous development wherein the heads of Hindu mutts are lured towards Leftist ideology.VHP should visit such seers of various mutts within the state and unite all mutts, he said. Venkatachalapathi, representing Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (DSS) said many Dalits are lured by Christians to join Christianity. “Religious conversion can be stopped when Dalits are given equal respect in the society,” he said. More than 100 community leaders from various parts of the state participated in this consultative meeting.
Yogi absent
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who was to address a mammoth Hindu Samajothsava could not make it because of the impending local body elections in his state. Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati was another leader who was absent.
‘Extend minority benefits to majority community’
Visweshwa Teertha Swami of Pejawar Mutt passed a resolution seeking to extend benefits to majority communities that are being presently enjoyed by minority communities through Constitutional amendment. The seers who spoke on the subject cited a Supreme Court judgment which said ‘Minoritism’ should be abolished.
‘Ram Mandir, Ram Rajya will be a reality’
Udupi: VHP’s firebrand leader Praveen Togadia said that both Ram Mandir and ‘Ram Rajya’ will be a reality in India. Delivering his talk at the Hindu Samajothsava in Udupi on Sunday, Togadia said in all the Dharma Sansad sittings organised in the country, saints and sadhus have passed resolutions to protect Hindu society. “Even after so many years of independent India, we have not been able to build Ram Mandir and some are still talking of negotiations,” he said, taking a dig at Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
‘Get licenses for weapons’
Udupi: Head of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Kashi Mutt Narendranand Giriji Maharaj said Hindu youths should have licenced weapons in their hands and not mobile phones. “As repeated cases of attacks on our soldiers are being reported, every Indian should have a weapon with him. For that, people should apply for licence and get the weapons in their hand,” he said. “It is for the Hindus to ensure self defence,” the seer added.