Karnataka - Gulbarga   

`Hindus must overcome caste barriers'

Special Correspondent

Samajotsava held to commemorate birth centenary of Golwalkar

GULBARGA: The Virat Hindu Samajotsava, organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) to commemorate the birth centenary celebration of M.S. Golwalkar, held here on Saturday called upon Hindus to bury their differences, overcome caste and community barriers and stay united to fight against threats to the community.

The event was held on the Nutan Vidyalaya School Grounds and was well attended. However, Peetathipathi of the Sharanabasaveshwar Samasthan Poojya Sharanabasavappa Appa, who was slated to preside over the samajotsava, did not participate in the event. His participation was opposed by a section of the Veerashaiva community. A few other seers whose names featured in the invitation also did not turn up for the event.

Executive committee member of the RSS Indreshkumar was the main speaker and along with Poojya Satyamitranand Giri, founder the Bharat Mata Temple at Haridwar; Poojya Shivakumar Swamigalu of the Chidambarashrama in Bidar; and Siddaramanandapuri Swamiji of Kanakagiri Math; lashed out at those who opposed the samajotsava .

"Hindus must unite to take on the forces trying to divide the community," Mr. Indreshkumar declared and added that the time had come for Hindus to eradicate untouchability and casteism. Sri Satyamitranand Giri of Haridwar spoke.

Reception Committee president S.S. Patil welcomed the gathering.

Protest

Former Minister and senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader S.K. Kanta along with chief of the Sulpul Math Sri Mahanta Shivacharyaru on Saturday took out a silent procession with black cloths tied around their mouths to protest against the samajotsava. Mr. Kanta and Sri Mahanta Shivacharyaru were accompanied by a large number of people in the procession which went from the Super Market area to the Deputy Commissioner's office where they staged a dharna. Mr. Kanta, who is president of the District Nagarika Horata Samiti, accused the RSS and Sangh Pariwar organisations of communalising the peaceful situation in Karnataka.

Mr. Kanta and Sri Mahanta Shivacharyaru said that it was unfortunate that few Veerashaiva Math chiefs were participating in the samajotsava although aware of the credentials of the RSS. He criticised the RSS for using the portraits of Basaveshwara and Dr. Ambedkar in the publicity materials of the samajotsava throughout the State.

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