The district unit of the Youth Congress has said that the Sri Rama Sene founder Pramod Muthalik was trying to disturb peace and harmony in Udupi district by stating that he and his sene will hold a protest on July 2 against the Iftar or “Souharda Upahara Koota” organised by Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt on June 24.
Addressing presspersons here recently, Vishwas V. Amin, president of the district unit of Youth Congress, said that if as announced, Mr. Muthalik held a protest against the Pejawar seer on July 2, the Youth Congress too would hold a parallel and massive protest in favour of the seer on the same day. If the sene tried to enter the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple as part of its protest, then the Youth Congress workers would form a human chain around it, he added.
He said that the Pejawar seer had tried to promote harmony among communities by organising Iftar at the Annabrahma Dinning Hall here. Though the neighbouring Dakshina Kannada district had many instances of disharmony, comparatively such instances were less in Udupi district, he said. But people like Mr. Muthalik wanted to use trivial issues to create disharmony in society. This was clear by his statements, he said. The Pejawar seer was committed to the protection of Hindu religion, but at the same time, he has respect for other religions.
In fact the Pejawar seer should be complimented for holding the “Souharda Upahara Koota.” The seer was known for his reformist thoughts and action. He was among the first seers to have visited the Dalit colonies in the country, he said.
The Muslim community too had contributed for the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple by donating foodgrains and related items during the “Horekanike” of Paryaya festival. But Mr. Muthalik was only interested in inflaming communal passions. It was wrong on the part of Mr. Muthalik to have described the entire Muslim community as “beef eaters” and “cow thieves.” Mr. Muthalik could not dictate food habits of people and it was best left to the individuals, Mr. Amin said.
