Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi May 14: “Some classes of society are trying to sow poisonous seeds in Udupi to disturb the peace and harmony here. But we will not let them to reap any benefit from it,” said Yogendra Yadav, human rights activist, at the Souharda Nadige-Sahabalve Convention programme.

The programme was jointly organised by Sahabalve Udupi and Karnataka Progressive Associations Federation on Saturday May 14, at Christian School ground here.

Yogendra Yadav further said, “It is not important whether we will win or lose, but how and when we will be win is important. If we fail to win, we are not eligible to live here. We will fight until we secure a victory.

“We will start spreading harmony right from Udupi, where some creatures are trying to disturb harmony. Some people are trying to divide this country, but we will unite them. They are trying to create two classes of citizens like owner and tenants. But in reality, all are equal according to the Constitution.

“Hindi is not a national language. It is not mentioned in the Constitution. Kannada is as old as thousands years.

“Secularism means 'Sarva Dharma Samabhav', treating all religion equally. Right to equality, Right to culture and Right to religion. Respect each other’s religion. Secularism is not a gift of British, but a gift of our Constitution.

“Someone is trying to portray himself as God, but God considers all together with no discrimination. They are issuing certificates on who is nationalist, loyalist and anti-nationalists. The country has existed since 5,000 years. It will be there even after us. Secularism is nothing but religion of this country.

“Those who are creating spreading hatred among people in the society are anti- nationalists. Those who respect each other’s religion and believe in unity, are the true patriots.

“We have the legacy of Basavanna and Gouthama Buddha and we have the Constitution with us,” he said.

Sasikanth Senthil, a retired IAS officer, in his presidential address, said, “We should celebrate the 'idea of Indian' and brotherhood. Samarasya Nadige is the foundation for that celebration. We were keeping quiet by seeing these developments and that is the main problem.

“There are people with two mind sets in the society. Some people do want any discrimination and some want to create terror and hatred among public. But we should live in brotherhood. People who create differences exist in every religion.

“As much as 70% of the population does not raise its voice against injustice. We should create a good environment for our future generations. We should raise our voice and speak for future. We protect the soul of India.

“Udupi is going to be very strong. Udupi has started responding against injustice. This work should be done through youths and help reach these ideas to the villages,” he said.

Before the convention, a procession, ‘Samarasya Nadige’, was held from Martyrs memorial ground, Ajjarkad here.

The procession commenced from Ajjarkad, passes through Jodukatte-Court Road-Diana circle-Triveni circle-Clock Tower-Kediyur Hotel-City Bus stand road, back to service bus stand nearby road-Clock tower (left side) road-Triveni circle-Diana circle-old taluk office-Mission hospital and reached the ground from Mission hospital road.

Dalit Sangarsha Samiti leaders Mavalli Shankar and R Mohanraj, farmers’ leader H R Basavarajappa, Chamarasa Mali Patil and Chukki Nanjundaswami, K Neela, women rights activist, Dr Belgaum Mohammed Sad, Muslim community leader, Sabiha Fhatima, sub-editor, Anupama monthly and Nazma Chikkanerale, youth activist, launched Samarasya Nadige.

Beautiful tableaus of famous personalities like Narayana Guru, Dr B R Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Mother Theresa, Haji Habdullah, Madhav Mangala, and Dr TMA Pai were displayed in the procession.

Cultural teams like Chande, Dollu kunitha, Kangilu, Dolu, Kerala Chende, seven coloured flags and people from across the state holding national flags participated in procession.

Vinay Srinivas, Bahutva Karnataka delivered the keynote address.

Popular singer M D Pallavi and team performed during the convention.

Yasin Malpe, District Muslim Okkuta, also spoke at the programme.

Several religious leaders from different community like Guru Basava Pattadevaru, Hiremath Samsthana, Balki, Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, Puthige Math, Jainul Ulama M Abdul Hamid Musliyar Mani, Khazi, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan, Fr Vargese Mar Makarios, bishop, Puttur Malankara Catholic Church, Dr Mathe Basavanjali Devi, Basavajnana Mandira, Mysuru, Basavaprakash Swamiji, Basava Dharma Peetha Belgaum, Bhanthe Mathe Maithri, Lokaratna Buddha Vihara, Bengaluru, Moulana Iftikar Ahmed Kasmi, president, Jamiyathul Ulemaye Hind Karnataka, Dr Pranavananda Swamiji, Ranibennur Math, Dr MSM, Abdul Rashid Sakhafhi Zaini Kamil, president, Sunni Yuva Jana sangha, Karnataka, Rev Dr Habert M Watson, principal, Karnataka Theological College, Maulana U K Abdul Azeez Darimi Chokkabettu, secretary, Karnataka Darimi Ulema okkoota, Fr Chethan Lobo, Udupi diocese, Jnani Balaraj Singh, Gurudvara, Manipal were present as guests.

Sahabalve convention committee members like Amrith Shenoy, Fr William Martis, Balakrishna Shetty, Prof K Paniraj, Ibrahim Kota and others were also present.

Veronica Cornelio hosted the programme.