Media Release
Udupi, July 2: In light of recent unsettling incidents in the coastal region, a senior delegation from the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), constituted to assess the situation and recommend remedial measures, held a series of crucial meetings in Udupi on July 2. The delegation engaged with district administration officials, police authorities, seers from various religious maths, leaders of different communities, and representatives of civil organizations.
The delegation was led by AICC general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain. It included former Legislative Council chairman and KPCC vice president A R Sudarshan, KPCC working president Dr Manjunath Bhandary, and former ministers K Jayaprakash Hegde and Kimmane Rathnakar.
Upon arriving in Udupi on July 1 night, the team held a detailed discussion with Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji of the Paryaya Puttige Math at Geetha Mandir. The focus was on fostering communal harmony across the coastal belt. Swamiji is said to have shared suggestions and insights with the delegation and emphasized the importance of swift justice and the need to curb the spread of false and inflammatory information. He stressed that religious and political matters should remain separate and that dialogue and mutual respect among communities are key to maintaining peace.
Invitation to CM for Krishna Janmashtami
Swamiji also revealed that chief minister Siddaramaiah has been invited to attend the upcoming Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations at the Udupi Sri Krishna Math, noting that such participation would send a positive message to the society.
Visit to Pejawar Math
The delegation later visited the Pejawar Math and interacted with Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha Swamiji. The discussions focused on steps needed to restore communal harmony. According to sources, the seer openly shared his views on the current situation and provided inputs on promoting peace and unity in society.
Engagement with Christian community
At the Ave Maria Hall within the Mother of Sorrows Church premises, the delegation met with Udupi diocese bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo and other Christian leaders. bishop Lobo suggested establishing peace clubs in schools to instil the values of harmony among students. He also recommended regular peace meetings involving the police and district administration at the village and taluk levels.
Activist Prashanth Jatanna urged police to verify the credibility of complaints related to “love jihad” and religious conversions before filing FIRs, warning that baseless accusations could harm social cohesion.
Discussion with Muslim leaders
The delegation concluded their visit with a meeting at the Udupi Jamia Masjid, where they held talks with leaders of the Muslim community. The meeting was held under the leadership of Udupi District Muslim Federation president Muhammad Maula, who submitted a memorandum urging the government to take strict action to preserve communal peace.
Federation vice president Fareed, general secretary Ismail Hussain, former Waqf advisory committee president Yahya Naksa, Azeez Udyavar, Mosque president Riyaz Ahmed, secretary Khalid, and Congress leaders MA Gafoor, Sharafuddin Sheikh, Ismail Atradhi, and Habeeb Ali were present.
The KPCC delegation’s tour covered Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Shivamogga districts as part of a broader initiative to re-establish harmony in the region.