Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jan 31: "Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, national flags are now flattering everywhere. We were not alive when the country became independent. Before death, I am happy that I could witness so many tricolour flags. I was bored of saffron flags. If you view Muslims with suspicion, Mother India will shed tears. They too are the children of Bharat Matha. BJP leaders do not know history, and they do not want to study it. We will not allow them to imbibe Godse culture among the children. People born in USA get citizenship of that country. In 1955, Citizenship Act was made but it was not based on caste and religion. There can be two categories, refugees, and infiltrators. When passing Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), they have based it on religion. Modi government is anti constitution. Now, for the first time since independence, friction has arisen between the people and the constitution," said former speaker of Karnataka assembly Ramesh Kumar. He was addressing a mega protest meet organized against the implementation of CAA, National Register of Citizens and National Population Register, which was held at Christian High School ground here on Thursday, January 30.
The programme was held under the aegis of 'Sahabalve Udupi' and other leftist organizations apart from Muslim organizations.
Ramesh Kumar called upon the people to throw away Modi and Amit Shah. He advised BJP to learn how to treat the Dalits. He accused the BJP people of trying to bring back the Varnashrama (order of the four castes) system of dividing people.
Speaking on the occasion, former state convener of Bajrang Dal, Mahendra Kumar, said that the country is on the threshold of getting transformed. "When I headed state unit of Bajrang Dal, I had said that it should not grow into an anti-Muslim outfit. We should ignore talk of breaking the country and concentrate on building the nation. The leaders who are associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are at the helm of national politics now. These people do not have any affection for Hindus. RSS and BJP are trying to divide the country by repeatedly referring to Pakistan. But they fail to understand that they are losing their way. In the recent past, there is an environment in which Swami Vivekananda is also being sullied. I always wish that the country always enjoys an atmosphere of peace," he stated.
Mahendra Kumar wished that the concept of Hindutva would undergo a change, adding that the concept of Hindutva as preached by Swami Vivekandnda was something different. He wondered how spreading terrorism in the country can become genuine Hindutva. "If we continue on the path currently being followed, there is no doubt that India will turn into Taliban in due course. Because of misdeeds of the BJP government, children are becoming scapegoats," he lamented.
Najma Nazeer felt that the laws being brought about by the current government are aimed at electoral benefits and vote bank politics. She accused the government of trying to polarize people by separating one community and treating them as second grade citizens. "They are stabbing the Hindus in the back and Muslims from the front," he added.
Amoolya charged Narendra Modi of chanting the phrase, 'Sabka Vikas' but leading the country towards devastation. She termed this as a fascist principle and asserted that including Modi, no leader can crush this protest. "We are not afraid of RSS. Our fight is against the central government that is following the principle of communalism," she stated.
Bhavya regretted the fact that the development in the country is slipping and unemployment has become a huge problem. She said that in politics, the stature of Narendra Modi is dwindling. "Those who supported Godse are in parliament now. Protests should be on the principles of non-violence and truth. That is the real respect we can give to Gandhi," she stated.
Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhim Army president, who was to deliver the main address, did not participate in the programme due to ill health. However, in a video message, he said that he is a soldier who is determined to protect the constitution. "Now, the citizens of the ccuntry have taken over the role of the opposition and leading the movement. Our foremost duty is to protect our constitution that was made for the people of India. I will be always joining hands with your fight to protect the Constitution," he stated.
Some others like Kavita Reddy, Mehroz Khan, and Bhavya Narasimhamurthy too addressed the meeting,. Leaders of leftist outfits like G Rajashekhar, Prashanth Jathanna, former miniser, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Ivan D'Souza, Assad Jaffer, Haji Abdullal Jafer, Ramesh Kanchan and others were present.
Honorary president of the committee, William Martis, read out the preamble to the constitution.
President of 'Sahabalve Udui' Amrith Shenoy, delivered introductory address. Sunder Master of Dalit organization, rendered the vote of thanks.