Beltangady: Necessary to put an end to superstition - Minister Jayachandra

Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (EP)

Beltangady, Dec 2: “It is necessary to start a social movement to do away with injustice, exploitation, superstition and such other nuisance customs that have become part of religion," said minister of law, T B Jayachandra.

He was speaking after inaugurating a literary and all-religions conference held in Dharmasthala Amritavarshini hall on the occasion of Lakshadeepotsava here on Sunday December 1.

“God is one but he has several names. We should realize that we are the children of God and should live in love and trust supplemented by our religions. The religions should help us to coexist and not harm others. We should get rid of the religious differences that create barriers between us”, he said.

"The all religions conference enables harmony in between religions. There should be faith but not superstition. The conference should send an appropriate message about various religions through discussions. We should live beyond religious customs by being humane. The discussions in the conference can drive away customs such as untouchability and superstitions from us. Such conferences should be held in other places also and bring about a healthy society, he said.

Religion and caste are like a skin for us. They gets life and stamina only with principles. He said that a revolutionary change has occurred in Tumkur due to rural development project. It has awakened cultural and self reliant feelings among the people, he said while praising the efforts of Dr Heggade.

Dingaleshwara Swamiji of Balehonnur’s Dingaleshwar seminary who presided over the programme said that only those who follow the path of religion are able to lead happy and peaceful lives. Our lives will be complete and successful when we speak truth and walk on the path of religion. The aim of religion is to bring up the downtrodden and those who are in grief. Social coexistence will be possible by following our religions and by tolerating other religions. Religion consists of walking on the path of justice. India has been an example to the world by secularism, said the swamiji. He suggested that we should develop a habit of reading religious books. He said that we should love our neighbors, indulge in selfless service and help each other.

Human welfare is the aim of religion – Dr Heggade

Dharmadikari Dr Veerendra Heggade gave a key note address and said that religion is the light which shows us the path of life. He said that we should never give up religion which is our permanent and daily guide. The welfare of mankind is the aim of religion and we should look for meaning and passion only within the purview of religion. There are differences in the celebrations, work and devotion among religions but the end aim is welfare of mankind. Religion has the divine power to unite us and protection of religion is protection of society, he said.

Dharmasthala has been holding all religions conference in Dharmasthala during Lakshadeepotsava every year to enable maturity of conscience and following of religions in life with messages from religious scholars on religious coexistence, he said.

Dharmasthala has the tradition of donating for food, education, medicine and faith and conducted several people friendly programmes for rural development. The rural development programme is in existence in 125 taluks of 23 districts and has 30 lacs members. 78,000 alcohol addicts have been able to kick the habit under all India awareness programme. Community development, evolution of knowledge, education fund and such other programmes have enabled the beneficiaries of progress and Gandhiji dream is becoming a reality here, he said.

Mysore’s Dr Saraswati Vijaya Kumar gave a lecture on religious coexistence in Jainism, Bangalore’s Yasim Malpe spoke on religious equality among muslims and Gulbarga’s Anil Prasad spoke about vision of coexistence in Catholic religion.

Professor S Prabhakar and D Surendra Kumar, vice presidents of management committee of SDM educational institutions were present.

Urmila Satyanarayana and party displayed Barathanatya followed by Kanchimaru Katte Utsava.