Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Nov 7: "It is a painful thing that around 40-42 Vishwakarma community families were converted to other religions in Kaup since the last several years. If the government had provided infrastructures to them, they would have not converted. Religious conversion should be stopped," said Malavalli Srinivas, state president, youth wing of Vishwakarma Okkoota.

"Many poor people who have voluntarily converted might be attracted to lure or financial matters. But this is not fair. If it continues like this, people will lose trust over the government," Srinivas said.

He was speaking at the press club Brahmagiri here on Saturday, November 7. Srinivas urged the community to come out in support of former MLC K P Nanjundi to strengthen the community. "Former MLC K P Nanjundi is our leader. If he gets a ministership, our community will be strengthened. We wanted to see him as minister in the cabinet and it is our dream too. We have supported BJP and K P Nanjundi all time. But the Vishwakarma people do not have political power. There are many eligible Vishwakarma leaders including me to contest in the election or to be nominated to the director's post," Srinivas said.

He further said, "This is not my allegation against the government led by BJP but I am expressing my pain."

"I visited flood affected areas, but the political representatives distributed flood relief funds just for name sake. We have tried to get the attention of the government for the proper distribution of relief funds," he said.

Neramballi Ramesh Acharya, leader of Karnataka Vishwakarma Mahasabha Ramakrishna Achar Kota, district president, Santhosh Mudubelle, legal advisor, Barkur Gangadhar Acharya, Kumar Achar, Harish Kaup and others were present.