Mangaluru/Bengaluru: It seems the attempt of Pejawar Swamiji to set an example of religious co-existence in the region by hosting Iftar for the Muslim community members on the occasion of Ramzan at the Sri Krishna Mutt has not yielded the desired result with right wing activists staging a protest at various places across the state on Sunday, July 2.
Members of Sri Ram Sene in collaboration with Akhila Bharathiya Hindu Mahasabha, Sanathana Hindu Janajagruthi Samithi staged protests at Udupi, Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Kalburgi and other places in the state demanding the seer’s apology for hurting their sentiments by hosting the Iftar in the mutt premises.
Addressing the gathering here at Lalbagh, state spokesperson of Akhila Bharathiya Hindu Mahasabha, Dharmendra said that the seer had organized the Iftar for political gains.
“If Swamiji wants to favor any political party, he can step down from his position and join the party. Krishna Mutt is an asset of the entire Hindu society. The Sangha Parivar had earlier opposed Janardhana Poojary when he had organized an Iftar at Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara temple, but now it is silent on this issue. Swamiji should step down from his position and apologise publicly,” he demanded.
“Swamiji is silent when there are news of family getting converted to Islam in Udupi” he added.
Prasad, Sri Rama Sene leader, Ujire said that we have respect towards Swamiji and his intellect, but hosting Iftar in the premises of Krishna Mutt is not fair. Will Hindu festivities be organized in Masjid, he asked questioning the Sangh Parivar’s silence on the issue.
Tight police arrangements were maintained to prevent any untoward incident despite the protest being a peaceful one.
In the State capital, Sri Rama Sena leader Pramod Muthalik too raised objection that Iftar was held for those killing cows in the Mutt which is the worship place of Sri Krishna who is considered to be protector of cows.
He further warned that the Seer and his companions may have to face severe consequences if such events would be organized at the Mutt without caring for Hindu sentiments.
