Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jul 2: In response to the strong words used by pro-Hindu outfits during their protests in Udupi and Mangaluru on Sunday July 2 against the recent Iftar Souharda Koota at Sri Krishna Math, Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji hit out at Sri Rama Sene and other fringe outfits saying that they have no knowledge about the sacred scriptures and hence have no right to protest.
Speaking to media persons here, Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji said, "Sri Rama Sene and other Hindu outfits who believe that they are the followers of Hindutva have do not know anything about the Shastras, traditions and practice of Hindu religion. They have no right to oppose this programme."
On Hindu Jana Jagruti Samiti's demand to 'purify' the Sri Krishna Math with cow urine as it has been 'polluted' by offering Namaz, he said, "What pollution? Namaz is a prayer according to Islam, what harm did it do to the temple? Which Dharma Shastra says it is wrong? Which 'Agama' opposes this tradition?"
Reacting to Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik's statement that his outfit is ready to shed blood to protect Hinduism, Swamiji said, "I have never given much attention to his words. I do not want to provoke him to violence by commenting. It might lead to conflict again. I am stating my stance clearly again - Neither did I defy dharma nor insult the Hindu community. The respect for Hindu religion has in fact increased after this get-together.
"Like Hindus, Muslims too have some religious restrictions. But no one gets hurt by having fruits. The so-called Hindu outfits have no other issue to highlight, so they have made an issue out of this," he added.
Hitting out that the protestors, he said, "Is there any meaning to their protest? It is nothing but heights of hatred for another community. No one should have that kind of hatred towards anyone. It is extreme.
"I am not worried about their protest at all. I am not going to take it seriously," he added.
"I have already clarified that it was not Iftar Koota, but just a get-together to dine with Muslims. I never insulted anyone of any community. This is something to be happy about, not disappointed. It is important to have tolerance in Hindu society. There are differences in Dwaita, Adwaita, Vishishta Dwaita and Shakti Vishishta Dwaita in principles. They follow their own traditions, and no one can force them not to do that. It is a mutual understanding between four philosophies. Similarly, I have respect for other religions too.
"Everyone has right to follow their religion as they wish. We have to respect their practices, traditions. We should not protest as everyone has the right to follow their own customs," he said.
"As I have already said, I invited the Muslim commmunity to have a meal in the evening. It was just a get-together party with the Muslim community. A Hindu will have dinner only after offering 'Sandhyavandana', similarly, they offered Namaz in the public dining room before having dinner. As I have said before, the public dining hall is located for away from the Sri Krishna Temple and it is out of the temple premises. What harm has it done to the religion? Nothing has happened," Swamiji asserted.
On whether such get-together would be organized in future, he said, "We will decide depending on the situation. There is no change in my stance and I am strong enough to fight against anti-Hindu activities. I will maintain good relationship with minorities along with Hindus. My aim is to maintain religious harmony with other communities all the time."