A huge ‘saffron’ procession, in which thousands of people participated, preceded the virat ‘Hindu Samavesh’ that was held in the city on Sunday.
While over 3,000 police personnel kept vigil at strategic points, people waving the saffron flag marched on the thoroughfares of the city.
The procession route and some of the main roads wore a ‘saffronised’ look with saffron flags and buntings tied all along the road side. Beginning from the Moorusavir Mutt ground, the procession had portraits of Bharat Mata, covered the streets of the central business district before reaching Nehru Stadium, the venue of the convention.
The participants raised slogans throughout the procession.
Odd man!
While it is natural for the Hindutva activists to use the portraits of Hindu deities and champions of Hindutva, the procession also had the portrait of twelfth century social reformer, Basavanna who strongly condemned the religion that practiced untouchability and founded a religion where everyone was equal.
In fact, the followers of Basavanna, Lingayats, are now demanding a separate religion status for them saying that they are different from Hindus.
