Mangaluru: A meeting of the Peace Keeping Committee was held at the DC’s Office here, on September 16.
Representatives from various organizations put forward their opinion on how to maintain peace during the festivals of Ganeshotsava and Bakrid.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said that any untoward incidents that take place in the district will be a negative point for the economy of DK. If there are clashes or communal violence in the district, people will be hesitant to invest. Earlier, news of incidents did not spread as fast as it does now, since there are a number of social media where people can upload events and spread them to the entire country in no time. In DK district, most of the people are peace lovers but there are some anti-social elements who try to spoil the peace in the society. If any untoward incidents take place, the media should not compare Mangaluru to Bhatkal, Gaziabad or any other state; such incidents are not healthy for the growth of the economy. Sundara Malekudiya’s issue has affected the entire law and order and it has shown a grave issue in the district at the national level. All the people in the district should be united and work for the development of the district, he added.
Balakrishna Noyi said that people are now in a festive mood. “We have to retain the same and see that there won’t be any untoward incidents. Let all the Hindu and Muslim brothers celebrate their festivals peacefully.”
VHP Prantha Gorakshak Pramukh Dinesh Pai said that the police department should solve the problems if there are any. “But nowadays, if we inform the police about the illegal cow slaughter, they do not show any interest. All the people should be treated equally. There should not be any discrimination. If Hindu activists make any mistake, they are booked under the Goonda Act but when the cows are slaughtered illegally, the police do not take any action. If the district administration wants to keep peace in the district, the administration should stop illegal cow slaughtering. If any cow will be slaughtered or sold, this will hurt the sentiments of the Hindu people and there will be communal violence,” he said.
Mohammed Ismail said, “The Gorakshak Pramukh said that if cow slaughter will not be stopped, there will be communal violence. That means that if we sacrifice animals, the Hindu activists will create problems. Yes, cows should be protected. But if cow slaughter will be banned, slaughtering of all animals should also be banned.”
Kamala Gowda said that some media telecast wrong news which leads to communal violence and said that the district administration and the police department should give proper information to the media, so that there will not be any misunderstanding.
Social activist Hanumanth Kamath said that there is no understanding between Hindus and Muslims. Dinesh says cow slaughter should be banned and another say the district administration should provide protection on Bakrid while we sacrifice animals. It is the duty of the district administration to explain about the Anti-Cow Slaughter act to the people so that the problem of offering animals as sacrifice during the festival should be solved. In front of the media, the leaders talk about peace and harmony, but in reality no one wants peace. If the district administration brings awareness about the act, 50% of the communal violence can be stopped. There are no public meetings in any police stations; it is necessary to hold public meetings in every police station, he added.
Padmanabh Ullal said that the political leaders in the district have failed to bring control over communal violence and to create harmony and peace. “The leaders should reach out to every person in the society,” he said.
Dr Edmond Fernandes questioned if those who talk about cow slaughter or peace have visited any schools and taught about peace and harmony. “Instead, they fight for silly reasons. It is better to create peace and harmony in the society. If we fight in the name of religion, days are not far for the country to be divided. Lets all join hands keeping aside caste, creed and religion and work for the development of the country.”
District minister in-charge Ramanath Rai, MLA J R Lobo, MLA Moideen Bava, Police commissioner S Murugan, SP Dr Sharanappa, Mayor Jacintha Alfred, ZP CEO Srividya, MUDA chairman Ibrahim Kodijal, Chairperson of State Social Welfare board Divya Prabha Gowda and others were also present.
