Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 29: The district Youth Congress backed by prominent people and senior leaders of the Congress party on Tuesday September 29 led a massive padayatra for peace in the district and in protest against immoral goondaism.
The padayatra was flagged off by district incharge minister Ramanath Rai at Lalbagh. The rally passed through PVS junction, Bunts Hostel, Balmatta and culminated at Kankanady grounds.
Addressing the protest, Fr Richard Coelho, director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, said, "Peace and harmony are very essential to society for its development and progress. Violence is a threat to the development of state and nation. Only peace and harmony can bring development. Peace leads to salvation. Violence is like a disease, and we should condemn it. We should work towards achieving peace. Today, helping nature is declining among mankind. Unity comes ony when there is peace and harmony. We should render service to humanity and unite. Our lives should be dedicated to doing good deeds . Maintain peace, help others and learn to forgive. We should be united by hearts and love everyone."
Vikhyatananda Swamiji of Hosmar Math gave examples of Hindu-Muslim unity and said, "Peace should come from the heart. Indian culture promotes peace and everyone wants peace. It is our dharma. Constitution is very important to us. Peace should be our mantra. There are good and bad people in all religions. We should make efforts to live with brotherhood and humanity."
MLA Mohiuddin Bava lauded Youth Congress for taking the initiative to protest against immoral goondaism and said, "This is a great step against fundamentalist forces. All people wish for peace, and the Youth Congress has fulfilled their wish. We will always raise voice against immoral goondaism."
MLC Ivan D'Souza who presided said, "Earlier padayatras used to be organized for raising funds and some social causes, but unfortunately today we are forced to hold padayatra to protest against communal violence and immoral goodaism. Earlier we used to live as brothers without any discrimination, but today we think communally even when it comes to educational institutions. Is the culture of our land? We should be ashamed of ourselves. This is happening because of communal ideologies. The future generations will suffer - communal violence and immoral goondaism will be a challenge to them. We are going against the culture of the land and the Constitution. Awareness is very important on these issues. In future if anyone involves in such activities, we should boycott them. Let us live a peaceful life and let lawl take its own course. Communal tension also hinders development of the district. People will not forgive those who indulge in immoral goondaism and communal violence."
District Youth Congress president Mithun Rai said, "This padayatra has been organized to create awareness against immoral goondaism and condemn the communal forces. If any incident of immoral goondaism occurs in the district, Youth Congress will condemn it. Due to this immoral goondaism, development and employment opportunities in the district have badly affected. Youth should strive towards bring laurels to the district.
"Congress party has always wished for Hindu-Muslim unity. Our aim is to make this district free of communal disharmony. Our youths are being threatened. Do not test our patience. We will raise voice against immoral goondaism whenever it takes place in the district," he asserted.
Mayor Jacintha Alfred, deputy mayor Purushotham Chitrapur, former mayor Shashidhar Hegde, Praveen Chandra Alva, Luqman, vice-president of Youth Congress, M S Mohammed, and others were present.