Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NP)
Udupi, Apr 24: Condemning the incident of forcibly removing the sacred thread (janivara) of CET exam candidates, the Udupi BJP staged a protest on the premises of the Udupi Deputy Commissioner's office. The protest meeting, held with the participation of various religious associations, included speeches by Brahmin leaders highlighting the significance of the sacred thread.
A memorandum was submitted to deputy commissioner Dr K Vidyakumari, demanding protection for religious practices and traditions in Udupi. The deputy commissioner assured the delegation that their concerns would be communicated to the state government.
Yashpal Suvarna, MLA of Udupi, strongly criticized the state government, stating, "The current government is hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community. Chief minister Siddaramaiah, during his tenure, appears to be promoting only one religion while ignoring the beliefs of Hindus. This protest is a message from Udupi, where all Hindu castes stand united against this injustice. Janivara is not just a thread; it represents tradition and faith. If the government continues on this path, leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi will also face public outrage. This is not just a protest; it is a warning."
Herga Hariprasad Bhat, a religious leader, emphasized the spiritual significance of Janivara, stating, "Janivara represents the second birth of a person—one physical and one spiritual. Those who wear it follow a disciplined, peaceful life. By targeting Janivara, the government is attempting to uproot the very foundation of our traditions. Despite the seriousness of the issue, there has been no apology or clarification from government officials or the education department. This is a deeply concerning trend. In Kashmir, tourists are attacked based on their religion. Similarly, by interfering with Hindu traditions, our own government is pushing the community towards marginalization.”
Chempi Ramachandra Bhat, a religious leader, expressed sorrow and disappointment. “The pain of the student who was asked to remove Janivara is our pain. The government must apologize and ensure such incidents do not happen again. While Jammu and Kashmir is a place we dream of visiting, it is also becoming a symbol of how religion is under threat.”
Sagri Anand Theertha, a religious leader, said, “Usually we greet each other with joy before programs, but today, we gather with sadness. I have stopped teaching recently due to a problem with my voice, but today I must speak up. If I stay silent now, I may never speak again. I am also concerned about the lack of youth presence at the protest; the younger generations are distancing themselves from religious practices.”
The protest was attended by Yashpal Suvarna, MLA Udupi; Kishore Kumar, district BJP president; Uday Kumar Shetty, BJP leader; Shashank Shivathaya, secretary, BJP Yuva Morcha Udupi; and religious leaders Herga Hariprasad Bhat, Chempi Ramachandra Bhat, Sagri Anand Theertha, among others.