RELIGIOUS MEET: Visvesha Teertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math addressing a `Dharma Sansat' of Hindu religious leaders in Shimoga on Tuesday.

SHIMOGA: Visvesha Teertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math said here on Tuesday that untouchability and conversions, which had emerged as the greatest threats to Hindu society, could be tackled effectively only if the jana shakthi (people's power) and the santa shakthi (power of the sadhus and saints) combined to put up a united fight against them.

Inaugurating the "dharma sansat" organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to mark the birth centenary of `Guruji' M.S. Golwalkar, the swamiji said that though the Hindu religion was pure like the Ganga, it was being polluted by some who wanted to obstruct its growth.

"The pollution in Hindu society needs to be removed just as the cleansing of the Ganga is going on to rid it of pollutants," he said, and added, "This has to be done by the heads of Hindu religious institutions as the Government cannot be expected to do it." He made a strong plea for the eradication of untouchability in Hindu society, which, he said, had forced many Dalits to embrace Buddhism.

He said it was unfortunate that Christian missionaries were exploiting this situation and trying to convert Dalits to their religion all over the country.

The swamiji said it was the responsibility of the heads of Hindu religious institutions to see that the Dalits were not alienated from Hinduism. He said it should be ensured that they were accorded dignity as they had suffered discrimination for centuries.

`Unfortunate'

It was unfortunate, he said, that the Dalits, most of whom worshiped Hindu deities, did not enjoy the status accorded to the minority communities, and this was an insult to Hindu society.

The swamiji said Dalits would suffer greatly both socially and economically if they got converted as not only would they fail to get reservation but they would also lose their collective strength once they joined other religions.

He said it was necessary that the Dalits received active support from the heads of Hindu religious institutions if they were to live with honour and dignity.

Mallikarjun Murugharajedra Swamiji of the Bekkinkal Math, who presided over the sansat, spoke on the role of the mathadhipatis in organising the Hindus as a force to reckon with.

Zonal secretary of the RSS M.C. Jayadev gave the introductory speech.

Minister for Higher Education D.H. Shankaramurthy and Minister for Water Resources K.S. Eshwarappa were present.

Prasannanath Swamiji of the local branch of the Adichunchanagiri Math delivered the valedictory address at the function.

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