The Hindu : Swamijis call for unity among Hindus

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 08, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Swamijis call for unity among Hindus

By Our Special Correspondent

A section of the `Shobha Yatra' near the venue of the Hindu Samajotsava in Bangalore on Sunday. - Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

Bangalore Dec. 7. Eradication of untouchability, unity among Hindus, and a ban on cow slaughter and mass conversions dominated the Virat Hindu Samajotsava, which concluded peacefully here on Sunday evening.

Vishvesha Tirtha swamiji of Pejavar Math, who addressed a large gathering, said: "Untouchability, which still prevails in rural India, is a blemish on Hindu society and should be removed. One section of the community cannot be looked down upon by the rest... our scriptures teach us to look for God even in the hut of a Dalit."

Appealing for unity of all Hindus, the swamiji said: "A fist can be used to attack others or in self-defence, we believe in the second." He also administered a pledge to the assembled youth not to rest till the Ram Temple was built at Ayodhya.

Balagangadaranatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math said: "The broadminded, hospitable nature of Hindus was often taken by others as a sign of weakness... we do not regret it. Our only demand is for a temple in the birthplace of Ram, we are not asking for a temple in the birthplace of the saints or prophets of other faiths. If we bury our differences, we need not ask a government or a court to allow us to build a temple."

Rama Gopalan, Hindu Munnani leader, said a Central law against mass conversions was needed because missionaries could always show that those converted belonged to States where conversion was not illegal.

Ravi Shankar guruji, founder of Art of Living Foundation, said the event was held "to restore the self-respect of the majority of Indians; a strong Hindu society causes no harm to anyone. It is sad to see the Government spend less amounts each passing year on the maintenance of Hindu temples while earning huge revenues from them."

Praveen Togadia, International general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, deplored the "huge sums" spent to subsidise Haj pilgrimage while no help was given to Hindu pilgrims anywhere on a similar scale. "I don't want to repeat Gujarat in Karnataka. I want to restore to you the pride of the Chatrapati Shivaji and the Vijayanagar kings who ruled here."

Three "Shoba Yatras" preceded the gathering with men and women in saffron caps and scarves carrying saffron flags chanting slogans. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ensured that the processions and the meeting were peaceful.

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