Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SS)
Udupi, Apr 14: Senior journalist Dinesh Ameen Mattoo on Thursday called for a Hindu Code Bill to reform the Hindu religion.
Delivering a lecture on 'Ambedkar Vichara and Horata' to commemmorate Dr B R Ambedkar birth anniversary here, he said Hindu religion needs reformation as it is beset with casteism adding that Hindu religion doesn't exist because of Mohan Bhagwat or Kaladka Prabhakar Bhat.
He said Narayanaguru, Swami Vivekananda, Rajaram Mohan Roy were the real architects of Hindu reformation who have brought about improvements in the religion from time to time.
The function was organised by Sahabalve Udupi and District Dalit Sangharsha Samithi at the Ambedkar Bhavan.
The senior journalist said those who are batting for Hindutva should raise their voice and introduce a Hindu Code Bill. He said the onus of reforming the Hindu religion lies in introducing the Bill. "It is not the question of reforming another religion, annulling triple talaq or introducing a common civil code for which laws should be enacted lest they accept whatever does exist," he said.
Dinesh Mattoo said Ambedkar was not such a votary of dalits but he was an economicist as well. "He did not frame the constitution at his own will. It was more out of compulsion. Ambedkar has reformed Hindu religion and is a theist leader. It is unfortunate that people have not discussed about this contribution ," he said.
The senior journalist said democracy in India will not survive if Hindu religion is not reformed and this fact is staring at us right on our faces.
He said dalits who do well and reach a good position do not raise a voice against the injustice that is meted out to their own community and such people are not eligible to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanthi.
Mattoo said it is not possible to change the constitution but it is the amendments that are weakening the constitution itself.
District Muslim Federation chairman Ibrahim Kota, Sundar Master, Veronica Karnelio, William Martin, Umera, Balakrishna Shetty and others were present.