Mangaluru: Sri Vishweshwara Teertha Swamiji of Pejawar mutt on Thursday challenged the Congress party to form an organization in support of the Hindu community, if the party was truly secular. 

Speaking to the media after taking part in the protest called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajarang Dal, Pejawar Swamiji said, “… I will appreciate Congress or any other political party, if they form a wing in favor of the Hindus. The organization has to be honest, which must work for the Hindu community”, he said.

Meanwhile, Swamiji made it clear in his speech that he would ‘appreciate’ the Congress party and ‘not support it’, when he fumbled with two words. 

He further said that the Congress party in the state is trying to break Hindu community, with unnecessary controversies. Congress is not truly secular in nature. It’s anti-Hindu and communal, he said, giving example of a recent legislation, which could take over mutts and temples. It’s the abduction of religious freedom, he opined. 

Pejawar Swamiji said that it is not enough that the Congress has withdrawn the bill, amidst opposition. The party has to do it systematically. The government has to withdraw the legislation, in the next session only, he said. He said, “A discussion with stakeholders is important before tabling this bill, even if the government wants to include all religious centres”.

On the controversies surrounding re-conversion, Swamiji said if conversion is allowed, why not re-conversion. Else, let the government pass an Anti-Conversion Bill, he added. 

As part of the protest march, as many as eight seers from different mutts were present. The protestors took a procession from Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple to the DC’s office. About 500 people took part in the protest, which was organised by VHP and Bajarang Dal. The right wing activists said that the Congress government, which is ruling Karnataka state is anti-Hindu.