Udupi: Gandhiji wanted to bring Muslims into the mainstream: Doreswamy

Pics by Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network

Udupi, Oct 3: Freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy said on Thursday that no person had worked for communal harmony as much as Gandhiji did.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the seminars and interaction programme focussing on Gandhiji’s life, times, and achievements, titled “Gandhijige Namaskara,” organised by the Gandhian Studies Centre of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College, here, Mr. Doreswamy said that Gandhiji wanted the 14 per cent of Muslim population to be brought into the mainstream. He did not want partition of the country. “He worked for communal harmony till the very end. Gandhiji died for the sake of communal harmony,” he said.

He said that in Udupi there was an attack on the Muslims a couple of years ago, this year there were attacks on Christians. There was nothing wrong if a person converted to another religion if he was dictated by his conscience. But conversions through monetary inducements were wrong. “Assuming that there is a case of illegal conversion, such matters should be brought to the notice of the authorities, the Bajrang Dal has no right to punish anyone,” he said.

He said that it was the duty of the Government to protect all the people. If a Government kept quiet when there were attacks on the minorities, such a Government was without any dignity. “It is also the responsibility of those who follow Gandhiji’s principles and those inspired by the message of Gandhiji to work for communal harmony,” he said.

Doreswamy said that small differences should be ignored and people should live in a spirit of accommodation. Some people were asking why Gandhians were silent on attempts being made to disrupt communal harmony. “It is the duty of not just the Gandhians but of all the people to maintain communal harmony,” he said.

Doreswamy said that people should work to create a non-violent society. While they should earn as much as they can, they should also give a part of their earnings for the betterment of society. Farmers should not be cheated in the name of encouraging corporate farming. “It is time to put an end to immoral politics, which is now pervading the country,” Mr. Doreswamy said.

Freedom fighter and former MLA B.V. Kakkilaya said that the role of Christian institutions in promoting education in the Coastal districts was well known. But those who were now attacking Christians would do well to understand this aspect. Politicians should stop communalising the fragile situation in the coastal districts. The media should be more responsible in reporting events, he said.

“We fought for freedom by bringing everyone together, but after 61 years, people are fighting among themselves. We fought for the unification of Karnataka, now within Karnataka, there are demands for separate states,” Mr. Kakkilaya said.

Jayaprakash Mavinakuli welcomed the gathering. Senior Journalist M.V. Kamath presided over the function. Gandhian Satyavrata was present.