Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KD)

Mangalore, Jun 16: A programme was held at Nehru Maidan here on Friday June 15 to commemorate the 150th year of First War of Indian Independence in 1857. The programme was organized by Popular Front of India (PFI).

Speaking on the occasion Mangalore University history department chairman Prof Surendra Rao said that the Freedom Movement in 1857 was a symbolism of righteousness and oneness wherein people from all religions fought in unity against the British rule. There was no feeling of communalism then, he added.

But now people are mixing up communalism and righteousness. Jihad was launched against the British by Muslim leaders but now the meaning of Jihad has been totally distorted. Jihad is never against the Hindus, Rao said.

Karnataka Forum for dignity (KFD) president K M Sharief lamented that history has been grossly communalized in the recent times. Instead of using history for promoting secularism and truth, history has been used for communal purposes, he said.

He further said that Muslims are not being acknowledged as patriotic even though many Muslims had fought for freedom. The need of the hour is to counter this notion against the Muslims and recognize their contributions to the society, he added.

Among those present were PFI general secretary E M Abdul Rehman, state Raitha Sangha women’s division president Jayamma, KFD vice-president KM Sharief and others.