Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru Dec 6: Former MLA J R Lobo submitted a memorandum to police commissioner T R Suresh demanding stern action against an audio that has gone viral on social media against senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary.
Lobo met the commissioner here at commissioner's office on Thursday December 6.
It may be recalled that recently in an event at Kudroli Temple, Janardhana Poojary had spoken in favor of construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. In reaction to it, an audio had gone viral on social media sites asking to encounter Janardhan Poojary for speaking in favor of the construction of Ram Mandir.
Police commissioner T R Suresh said, "Even Narayana Guru Association from Kavoor has given their memorandum in this regard. I have requested the police inspector of Kavoor to file a case and an FIR will be lodged. We assure that timely investigation will lead to action against the accused.”
Speaking to mediapersons, Lobo said, "Recently an audio had gone viral on social media against senior Congress leader Janardhana Poojary for favoring construction of Ram Mandir. His statement was misunderstood by few people and he has given a clear statement. In the audio, the person has asked to encounter and expel Janardhana Poojary. It has hurt us.”
He further said, "Poojary is a senior leader and his service need to be remembered. At least respect him for his age. We urged the police commissioner through the memorandum to take stern action against the person behind the audio.”
“Our country is secular and we should see that our society lives in unity. We should not try to divide our society in the name of religion. We need temple, church and mosque as we believe in one God. Whenever a temple, mosque and church is constructed, take the confidence of the local people, have a dialogue with everyone and without having any trouble, temple, church and mosque should be constructed,” he added.
He further said, "God never divided our society. I urge people not to misunderstand Poojary’s statement.”
Lobo hitting out at the BJP said, "When an election is inching closer, BJP takes the name of Mandir. During the last election, they said Mandir will be constructed and won the election. They forgot the Mandir issue in last four and half years, now again they are taking the issue of Mandir. I want to ask them, why you are politicising and dividing the society in the name of God and Mandir? You could have sorted out the issue by having a dialogue.”
"I urge BJP to have a discussion with the local people of all religion so that there will be Mandir as well as Masjid without any trouble and create peaceful atmosphere", concluded J R Lobo.
Kallige Tharanath Shetty, corporator Sabitha Misquith, Praveen Chandra Alva, Akhila Shety, T K Sudhir, Mahabala Marla and others were present.