Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jan 31: Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) on Friday January 30 held a protest meet in front of the DC's office here to condemn the glorification of Mahatma Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse by some outfits.

Prior to the protest meet, SDPI state committee member Alfonso Franco offerred flowers to Mahatma Gandhi statue near Town Hall to mark the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation, observed as Martyrs' Day.

Addressing the gathering Iliyas Mohammed Thumbay, national core commitee member of SDPI said, "Our nation is suffering from terrorism, which has pervaded all sectors of society be it political, administrative or media. It is preventing the nation from achieving development."

He further said, "Terrorism started since RSS started in India. When we talk of terrorism we think of only bomb blasts, but communal violence is also a sort of terrorism. When communal clashes occur people die in huge numbers. Out of all the terrorist acts, killing Gandhiji on January 30, 1948 was the worst. Gandhiji always wanted religious harmony but the communal powers could not take it, so they killed him. These communal powers wanted to make India a Hindu nation but Gandhiji would not allow it to happen, so they killed him. Killing Gandhiji was the biggest act of terrorism, so we have come up with the slogan 'Speak for Gandhiji, condemn Godse'.

"V D Savarkar had told then that India cannot be one nation, which clearly shows they wanted to divide the nation. RSS people are Godse's disciples. Godse followers are talking about 'Ghah Wapsi'. SDPI wont leave you to spoil the democracy and secularism of the nation," he said.

He further lashed out at the RSS and said, "The Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992 was another big terrorism that occurred in the nation. RSS people created differences between Hindus and Muslims. 2002 Gujarat riots is another example. In these riots women were gang-raped, children were slaughtered and houses were burnt and many people died. BJP MPs are giving absurd statements every day. MP Sakshi Maharaj says Hindus should have four children. They want to saffronize the text books. Someone said Taj Mahal was built by some Rajput king but no one will believe it, because everyone knows Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan. They want to build temple in the name of Godse. If the government gives permission to build it, we will destroy it. We are ready to go to jail. If Godse statue is installed in Mangaluru then we will destroy it.

"BJP has introduced 'Make in India' and they are offering free electricity and water to foreign companies. But do they (BJP) know poor people don't have water to drink or clothes to wear? They should first think about our own people," Iliyas Thumbay added.

M Koosappa, Puttur district vice-president of SDPI said, "BJP is trying to divide the nation in the name of religion. Kalladka Prabakar Bhat says they can form government without votes of minorities. If that is the case I challenge him on behalf of SDPI - let them mention in their manifesto that they do not need votes of minorities. They would not win even corporation election then.

"They accuse Muslims and Christians of indulging in conversion but let me tell you, Dalits were not converted, instead they accepted their new religions on their own accord. When they talk of 'Ghar Wapsi' they should make it clear as to what position they would give to Dalits in the caste heirarchy," he said.

Haneef Khan, state vice-president of SDPI said, "SDPI has decided to observe Martyrs' Day on January 30 every year. We will remind children of Gandhi's assasination. Since Modi government is in power they might think they can make India a Hindu nation but that is not possible. Congress has forgotten Gandhiji. Gandhi was a secular man who always followed ahimsa (non-violence) but Godse followers want to create differences between communities. We respect Hindu religion but all the Hindus have to understand there is a difference between Hindutva and Hindu religion. RSS is misleading all the Hindus with their Hindutva agenda. Dalits will be the most affected by this Hindutva agenda and SDPI will never allow it to happen."

Nawaz Ullal, president SDPI, Riyaz Farangipete, district chief secretary of SDPI, Ayaz, corporator, Ashraf A K, Noorulla Kulai, Kabir Bajal, Mohammed U B, Iqbal I M R, K A Siddique, Akbar Beltangady and others were present.