Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Feb 1: Sri Rajashekarananda of Vajradehi Math, Gurupur on Wednesday February 4 came out in strong support of VHP and condemned the ban on its leader Pravin Togadia from entering Bengaluru between February 5 and February 11 in the wake of Hindu Virat Samavesha to be held on February 8 in the capital.
Addressing a press meet a the VHP office here, the Swamiji said, "Hindu Samavesha is observed to unite the Hindu society not only in the state but across the country. Moreover, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is celebrating its golden jubliee by holding this event.
"Pravin Togadia was supposed to address the Hindu Virat Samavesha on Febrauary 8 but the shameless government has made an effort to play spoilsport and invoked ban on Togadia from entering the city," he said.
"The state government is taking dual stands on the issue. On the one hand, the home minister says it is has to do with the law, and on the other hand, the government says it is a police matter and it has nothing to do with it, he added.
He also said that in 2003, the then government had invoked ban on Togadia from entering into the Karnataka state but immediately when the organization filed a petition in the high court, the ban was lifted and Pravin Togadia made his speech. "It is better if this government realizes this before losing in its effort," he cautioned.
"Dr Pravin Togadia is an internationally famous cancer doctor. He is not the person to insult or hurt other communities. He is uniting the Hindu Samaj. He has never been bad to other communities," he said.
Referring to Asaduddin Owaisi's recent visit to Bhatkal, he said, "Owaisi comes with his hidden agenda to execute his devious plans. The government appeases Owasi and goes against Togadia. As a cancer doctor, Pravin Togadia is making an effort to treat social evils like terrorism, conversion and illegal cow slaughter. The government is shamelessly making efforts to prevent Togadia from carrying out his work."
"As a religious head of Hindu Samaj, I urge the government to wake up from slumber. This programme (Hindu Virat Samavesha) is organized to unite Hindu Samaj. The government should cooperate without trying to interfere or create any confusion," he appealed.
In reply to reporters' queries on the recent clashes at Karaya in Beltangady, he said, "When people of our community were returning from the Hindu convention, some fundamentalits pelted stone on them. Confusion was created after stones were pelted from the mosque.
When there was action, there was reaction. We will not react when there is no action. Our programme aimed to unite the Hindu community and not to insult any other community."
When the reporters pointed out the alleged provocative speech delivered at the Puttur Samajotsava, he said, "As per our knowlegde Hindu Samaj never did anything to hurt other communities, we have only revealed the truth.
"I am not a Hindu extremist but am a staunch follower of Hinduism," he declared.
On the controversial issue of Temple dedicated to Nathuram Godse, the Swamiji said, "This has not come to my knowledge so far. There is such an effort by the Sangh Parivar. Godse is a patriot but we will not agree to the idea of constructing temple for him."
Sharan Pumpwell, Jagadish Shenava and others were present.