Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 30: Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji, who was an ardent supporter of Hindutva philosophy and a prominent leader of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, was being served by a Muslim driver for the last two decades.

His car driver, Muhammad Arif, said that he along with his two brothers, Muhammed Mansoor and Muhammed Akhir, had been serving as the driver of the Swamji's car since the last 20 years and that the Swamiji had never shown religious discrimination and never treated Muslims as different. He recollects that when going out on Friday, the Swamiji always wanted to know from him whether he needs to offer namaz at that time, and if that is so, he was given time to finish it.

Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji (left) and Muhammad Arif

Arif had taken a lead in organizing Iftar party at Sri Krishna Math for the people from all communities including Muslims, and he also is the coordinator of blood donors’ team of Pejawar Math. He says that Pejawar Swamiji often said that praying with folded hands or coming down to knees like Muslims do are both methods of praying to the Almighty.

Muslims along with their Hindu and Christian brethren took part in the historic Iftar party organized by Pejawar Swamiji. Leaders of different political parties too were present. 30 Muslims were involved with the work of cleaning up Sri Krishna Math and during the campaign to plant one lac saplings, 300 Muslims too joined hands. They distributed buttermilk to 8,000 people during the 'Pura Pravesha' programme of the Swamiji and provided fruit juice to 4,000 people during Ganesha festival.

Since the last two decades, Muslims have been donating blood on the Swamiji's birthday. Pejawar had blood donation teams in Karwar, Bhatkal, Sirsi, Padubidri etc. Out of 600 members of the blood bank team here, 500 are Muslims.

When Pejawar Swamiji opted to have a Muslim driver long back, some people connected with the Math and some Hindu leaders had criticized him. But the Swamiji was clear that he needed a driver, who can be of any religion. He did not get bogged down by criticism.