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Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
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Udupi, Nov 26: The entire temple town was painted in hues of saffron as the 'Shobha Yatra' for the Virat Hindu Samajotsava began on a grand note here on Sunday November 26.
Thousands of people dressed in saffron marched through the streets of Udupi from Jodukatte to the venue of Dharma Sansad. Women outnumbered men in the procession.
The procession included tableaux depicting the country's culture and tradition.
The Virat Hindu Samajotsava marks the culmination of the three-day Dharma Sansad.
Addressing the gathering, VHP international working president Pravin Togadia referred to the Mumbai terror attacks that took place this day nine years ago, and said that while Kasab who was involved in the attacks was hanged, his 'father' (mastermind Hafiz Saeed) still roams free in Pakistan. "We must finish Pakistan and eliminates every trace of its existence from world map," he warned. He also recalled the brave police officers, particularly Tukaram, who fought against the terrorists and sacrificed their lives.
Slamming filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bansali over his controversial movie 'Padmavati' that has evoked intense protests, he said, "It is due to the sacrifices of Amma Padmini that I am here. If Sanjay Leela Bansali has made a movie on Padmavati, but if he has guts, let him do one the Prophet too."
He further said, "Hindus are majority in this nation. We do not need any special previleges. We do not want politics. Our only aim is to protect the Hindus. The first Hindu Sansad was held in Udupi, and it is from here that the Ram Mandir movement started and gained momentum. We do not aspire to become MPs or Tatas and Birlas. Our only demand is that Ram Mandir should be built.
"There is an idol of Lord Rama in Ramjanmabhoomi. Does anyone has the power or guts to remove that idol or build anything other than temple there?" he asked, to which the crowd responded with a loud 'no!'
"Hindu Samaj used to live with unity and dignity, but then over the years it decreased. One crore Hindus have no place to live. Crores of youths in the nation are unemployed, lacs of farmers are committing suicide as they are unable to pay back loans. Farmers are not asking for money, but what they deserve for their hardwork.
"We want Ram Mandir and Ram Rajya," he declared.
He called upon the people to build a nation where Hindu youths have jobs, farmers are free of loans and a nation free of untouchability. He also spoke of the Parivar Mitra plan where every Hindu of upper caste will make friendship with a person from a schedule caste.
He asked the crowd to take a pledge to become a true, enlightened, active and devout Hindu.
Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji in his address stressed on the importance of harmony in society and said, "Sri Krishna's message was that one does not become great because of caste or creed, but through devotion and righteous character. India shoud become an untouchability-free nation where everyone is treated equally.
"I initiated a movement to end untouchability and it has now spread everywhere. Every individual's mantra should be to live with harmony and foster equality. Being born as Hindus on this soil, we should respond to another person's woes," he added.
Seeking to clarify his earlier comment on the Constitution which led to protests, he said, "The privilege availbale for minorities should be accessible to the majority to. I do not say we should end reservation, but some people have twisted my words out of context. Some of the educational facilities available for minorities are deprived to Dalits. The government should ensure that Dalits too have access to them. That is why I said the Constitution should be amended, but only if Dalits and minorities are in agreement of the amendment and get equal privileges."
He said that just as churches and mosques have freedom, the government should give keep away from controlling temples and maths.
He also questioned CM Siddaramaiah on the delay in passing anti-cow slaughter bill. "If the CM is a follower of Basavanna, he should pass the bill without any delay," he said.
"I will not have peace till Ram Mandir is built. Within one year we will start the construction and by 2019 it should be ready," he said.
VHP leader Gopalji spoke on issues like love Jihad and conversion. "Muslims are encroaching parts of India. Hindus in India during pre-independence era accounted for 93% of the population, but the figure has now reduced to 80%. Hindus in Pakistan made up 15% of the population then, but now their population has drastically reduced to 2%. Before independence, the population of Hindus in Bangladesh was 29% but now it has reduced to 8%. Innocent girls are becoming victims of prostitution through love Jihad," he alleged.
"If a Hindu converts to Christianity or Islam, it is means an enemy is born," he said.
"Coastal Karnataka districts have become centres of cattle trafficking. Prashant Poojary's murder is an example for this. Shivaji Maharaj is the best example for how a Hindu should take action against cow smugglers," he said.
Sri Madhara Chennayya Swamiji in his address said, "Change will not happen until the right time comes. No change can happen immediately. Math is not important for me. Dharma does not emerge from a person. If a person goes beyond humanity, it can be called dharma. When we give priority to dharma, harmony can be possible. For that, we have to take people into confidence first. Any religion should not create such a situation where one feels like leaning towards another religion. The situation during Ambedkar’s period was different than it is now. There is more awareness and equality among people.
He also called upon the people to revere the cow and worship it.
An added attraction at the event were persons dressed as Mahatma Gandhi and PM Narendra Modi, both of whom, especially the latter, drew wide applause.
To the disappointment of the crowd, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath who was supposed to participate in the event, cancelled his visit.
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