Pic: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jul 14: Social activist M G Hegde on Friday July 14 sought to alleviate the unrest in the district over the recent communal clashes and said that they were result of rifts between two organizations and not two religions. He also demanded compensation for families of SDPI leader Ashraf Kalayi and RSS worker Sharath Madivala who were recently murdered.
Addressing a press meet here, M G Hegde said, ”The internal clash between two organizations has resulted in the series of murders and clashes in the district for the past couple of months. These incidents are not because of rift between people of two religions but two organizations.
"Dakshina Kannada district was at the receiving end after the series of murders including that of Ashraf Kalayi and Sharath at Benjanspadav and B C Road respectively. It has been several days since the two murders but so far the government has not announced any compensation for either of the families. We demand the state government to hand over Rs 25 lac each as compensation for the families of slain Ashraf and Sharath.
"I have not seen any organization come forward to compensate either of these families. If they have done so, then I urge them to openly announce it," he added.
"Sharath was leading his a quiet life working at his laundry when he was attacked. His Muslim friend named Rauf took him to the hospital. Even in Ashraf’s case, his friend Prakash took him to the hospital. When these two were living their lives in peace and harmony, then why they were killed? Hence, it can be said that this is because of clashes between two organizations and not because of two religions. Why are common people getting killed? Why leaders are not targeted? Why are innocents targeted? These questions still remain unanswered," said M G Hegde.
"Do you think planning and murdering is a daily routine for the killers? What is the reason behind this? It is because of speeches, breaking news and also some messages in social media that are one-sided that brainwash the youths. Because of all this, they are under the illusion that someone is trying to suppress their religion and they feel they are protectors of their religion. They feel that they should answer or it will not stop. We can notice that during communal clashes new faces in the age group of 20-25 take part in clashes and end up in the wrong path. Why are leaders not targeted? As they have gunmen for protection and they are safe, they will not intervene in any of these matters," Hegde opined.
"Politicians choose between the Hindu victim and Muslim victim and decide whom to console and whom not to. Even columnists in newspapers are one-sided, so just imagine what will be the situation for normal people. Who will understand them and who will answer them?
“While Congress holds a peace meet, BJP says that Sharath’s murderers are still at large. While these parties are blaming each other, who will answer to the people? No one is bothered about maintaining peace. These parties are not capable of protecting the city. They are just playing politics," he said.
“It is better to have community-wise committees involving religious leaders and representatives so that issues can be discussed and sorted out. Eight SPs have camped in Kalladka and Bantwal to bring the situation under control. It has become like a training camp for police personnel. BJP says that they have been targeted and Congress talks about Hindu-Muslim, but no one speaks about maintaining peace," he added.
Social activist Ashok Kumar, Saadiq and others were present.