Bellari/Hubballi: For a change, another split has occurred in BJP with BSY loyalist Shobha Karandlaje taking on former chief minister and Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Jagadish Shettar. This time, differences have cropped over the recent Iftar meet organised at Udupi’s Krishna Matt in an event mooted by none other than Paryaya Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji himself.
Taking exceptions to Pejawar seer holding Iftar meet at matt premises, Shobha Karndlaje said that the religious celebrations should be confined to respective religious organizations. Meanwhile, she also said the State Governor’s attention has been drawn over rationalists eating beef at a seminar in Kalamandir, a venue under the state department of Kannada and Culture.
Reacting on the issue at Hubballi, former CM Jagadish Shettar appreciated seer’s initiative of holding Iftar and found nothing wrong with the celebrations. Hinduism is all about tolerance and respecting the religious beliefs of others and felt Seer’s move is in the right direction to restore and build communal harmony. None should create a fresh row over Iftar, concluded Shettar.
What set the ‘meat boiling’?!
It may be recalled that setting an example for religious co-existence in the society, the Udupi Sri Krishna Matt had hosted an Iftar party for Muslim brethren observing the Ramzan fast for the first time in its long history on June 24.
Nearly 150-200 Muslims had participated in the “Souharda Upahara Koota” (harmony breakfast meet) organised at the Annabrahma Dining Hall in the temple complex. They were served banana, watermelon, apple, dates and cashewnuts along with “kashaya” made of black pepper where Paryaya Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji personally served dates to the gathering.
Opposing the Iftar hosted by the Seer, right wing leader Pramod Muthalik had said, “The Iftar party organised at Sri Krishna Matt has hurt the sentiments of Hindu Community”, and added “Lord Krishna is known as Gopala, protector of cows but the Paryaya Sri Viswesha Theertha Swamiji has invited the beef consumers into the premises of Lord Krishna.”
