Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP/RJP)
Updated
Udupi, Nov 24: The much-awaited three-day Dharma Sansad began on a grand note here on Friday November 24, with thousands of religious leaders of the Hindu community converging in a vibrant procession flanked by a rich array of cultural troupes.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in his speech during the Dharma Sansad said that Ram Mandir will be built at Ram Janambhoomi in Ayodhya.
“No other structure will come up there. We will build Mandir soon there with the same stones. Saffron flag will be seen atop the Mandir,” he added.
“We have already started the discussion on many issues here. All resolutions will be taken two days later after due consideration. The health of a society is very important. Everyone has to work positively for that. It is not difficult to maintain peace and prosperity in society. Only determination is important to do that,” Bhagwat said.
“We are all brothers and sisters. Doors have been already opened for Hindu unity. Cow vigilance is not wrong. Definitely passion is needed for that. But we need to do it in a proper way. We should also created awareness about the benefits of products like cow urine. Awareness should be created in a scientific way,” he opined.
“We cannot keep quiet when people are converted from Hinduism. There should be re-conversion for every conversion,” Bhagwat said.
Swami Nirmalananda from Adi Chunchanagiri Math also spoke on the occasion. He said youth and children should be taught the values of Hinduism so that they can be passed on to the next generation.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Paryaya Swamiji asserted that the work on the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya would begin in 2019.
"Work on Ram Mandir will begin within a year. I can assure that by 2019, the construction will begin. After the upcoming Paryaya, I will work relentless towards this goal. I will not be at peace till the goal is achieved," he said.
He further said, "This Dharma Sansad is not just about religion, but is an effort to make the Hindu society stronger. Untouchability and discrimination are still prevalent in our society, and we need to get rid of them. Man does not achieve greatness because of his caste or creed, but through devotion and purity. Hence Dalits are also great.
"Intellectual and spiritual powers make a country great. People belonging to all religions are equal. All are Indians and there can be no discrimination," he declared.
"Lingayats and Veerashaivas are part of the Hindu community. Hindu religion has many faces, but only one heart. Hence everyone should unite and treat each other with equality. There is no majority or minority - these are notions created by the government, and such notions are against the spriti of secularism. The freedoms available to the majorities should be accessible to minorities too. The 'secular' government has created this rift between Lingayats and Veerashaivas. This should not happen. Everyone should get equal opportunities," he said.
On the anti-cow slaughter debate, Swamiji said, "Every state should unite and pass a nation-wide law against cow slaughter."
Delivering the keynote address, international working president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Pravin Bhai Togadia called upon people to follow the Indian constitution and practice secularism as preached therein in a genuine way. He repeated his demand to banish untouchability.
"The true secularism as preached is not being practiced. Temples and Maths should not be managed/administered by the government. Their respective heads should manage them. What is now going is totally unconstitutional," he noted.
Talking about cow slaughter, he noted that cows support agriculture, as their dung can be used as fertilizer and products obtained from it are of very good use. Agriculture based on cattle can be very rewarding, he said. He wondered why so many cows are being slaughtered here.
"So many lives have been lost in our struggle to take back holy land at Ayoughya. We have made up our mind to build Ram temple at Ayodhya under the leadership of Pejawar Swamiji. Only Lord Ram's temple should come up there," he stressed.
He advised families to get all their children educated. He also wanted every one to get employed and hunger to be driven away from India, noting that poor families are struggling for food even now. He says he dreams of 'Rama Rajya', an India free of any debt.
Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, speaking on the occasion,hailed Vishwa Hindu Parishad for playing a major role in bringing all sections of Hindu community together. "Hinduism is a very ancient religion that was fortified and nurtured by sages, kings etc. This religion has stood strong against incessant injustice, atrocities, attacks, and overbearing activities against it. It grew and turned richer with contributions made by various sages, gurus, swamijis, rulers etc", he said.
The Dharmadhikari recollected that many of the scriptures including Vedas were saved by by sages who learnt them by heart and passed on to next generations. He concurred that castes etc were created over time but unity was always there. "After independence, issues of untouchability and inequality are being addressed in an effective way. I highly respet Pejawar Swamiji for allowing such a major programme to be held at the fag end of his fifth Paryaya period of which only 55 days have remained," he stated.
Dr Heggade warned that there have bee enemies to Hinduism everywhere and it has always faced challenges. He called upon people to strive to protect the religion.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad secretary general, Champat Rai, also spoke on the occasion.
Before Dharma Sansad began, Swamijis and sages were brought to the venue from near Rajangan of Sri Krishna Math accompanied by chanting of Vedic hymns and 'Poorna Kumbhas' as per tradition. People and heads of Maths from various states have assembled for the 'Dharma Sansad'. Over 150 seats have been placed on the dais.
Swamijis of Puthige, Sode, Krishnaput Maths, Vajradehi Rajashekharananda Swamiji, Suttur Shri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji, Kalahstendra Swamiji of Katapadi, Raghaveshwara Swamiji of Ramachandrapur Math etc have been participating in the programme.