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

Mangaluru, Dec 12: The Vishwa Hindu Parishat (VHP) on Saturday December 12 expressed strong opposition to the proposed visit of well-known Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Naik to Mangaluru and warned that the local MLAs and the state government would be responsible if peace was disrupted in the district during his visit.

Dr Zakir Naik is scheduled to visit Mangaluru on January 3, 2016. The programme is being hosted by the South Kanara Salafi Movement (SKSM).

Addressing a press meet here, HP provincial working president M B Puranik said, "The district administration should not give permission to Dr Zakir Naik's programme. We have also submitted a memorandum to the police commissioner in this regard.

"We have seen that social harmony is deteriorating and recently due to Tipu Jayanti, peace and harmony in the district has been disrupted. This programme is taking place with government backing. It should not be allowed.

"Wherever Dr Zakir Naik has given speeches, there have been incidents of violence. In his speeches, he has insulted and passed inflammatory remarks against Hindu deities, idol worship and the national song of India. He is also banned from America and Britain for his inflammatory speeches. If you want peace and harmony in the district, Dr Zakir Naik should not be allowed to participate in the programme," he said.

"If the sentiments of Hindus are hurt, or peace and harmony is disrupted, the state government will be responsible for that. We are not asking the administration to cancel the programme, but that the organizers should bring some other orator and not Dr Zakir Naik," he said.

Sathyajit Suratkal of Hindu Jagarana Vedike said, "In India's Constitution, there is provision to preach any religion, but not to insult any religion. Zakir Naik has insulted other religions in his speeches many times. In many of his speeches, he has passed derogatory remarks on Hindu gods and idol worship. He is a person who stated that Islam does not agree with Vande Mataram. He is a controversial speaker who has been banned from many countries. We oppose his visit to Mangaluru.

"We feel that the state government is trying to create communal violence in the state. Recently Tipu Jayanti was observed though no one demanded it. The MLA and the district in-charge minister are supporting Zakir Naik's visit. If peace is disrupted in the district, the government and the MLAs will be responsible," he warned.

When a reporter asked how they could be certain that Dr Zakir Naik's speech would be inflammatory without knowing what he was going to speak on, Sathyajit said, "We have proof of him giving inflammatory speeches many times in the past. Who will guarantee that he will not insult other religions?"

Asked if VHP would be satisfied if the organizers give guarantee and take responsibility in this regard, he said, "We do not want the organizers' guarantee. It is the court or the district administration that has to give such guarantee. Dr Zakir Naik is not only anti-Hindu but also anti-national who refused to sing Vande Mataram."

To a question on the proposed visit of VHP leader Dr Pravin Togadia to the coastal region on January 6, Puranik replied, "Pravin Togadia is coming to attend a programme in Sringeri on January 6. We have not yet planned his visit to Mangaluru."

Bajrang Dal convenor Sharan Pumpwell, Tejaswi S N of ABVP, Kishore of HJV and others were present.