Mangaluru: The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) in association with the Students Federation of India held a harmony march “Ikyatheyedege Sauharda Nadige” from Ambedkar CircleJyothi to DC Office here, on February 24.
The harmony march was flagged off at Ambedkar Circle Jyothi which culminated near the DC office. A stage programme was held thereafter. District Secretary of SFI Charan Shetty welcomed the gathering.
District President of DYFI Dayanand Shetty delivered the introductory remarks. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Veerabhadra Chennamalla Swamiji of Nidumamidi Math said that to maintain peace, harmony and unity in this country is a great challenge, now the time has come to regain peace, values, harmony and unity. “The entire world is suffering from communalism, hatred and violence, and some anti social elements are trying to destroy peace in our country. If the world does not come out of the communal mindset, there will be disaster. The ‘rishi munis’ united the people in the country by teaching them values, culture and tradition but the politicians and some selfish people are trying to divide the society in the name of religion for their personal gain.”
He further said, “We have stopped listening to the saints who had strived to build a strong nation. Instead, we are listening to those who are trying to destroy the country by creating hatred and rift among the people in the name of religion. For Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Lingayuts there is no separate country; we all should be united and live in this country as Indians. There is only one India for all Indians who are of different religions. Some people say that India should be a Hindu country. Some people are willing to make India a Islamic country. But India has unity in diversity, India is a secular country and everyone has the right to live and practice their own religion. There is no need to live in fear; all have the right to lead a respectful life. All religions are equal and all of us have to live in peace and harmony.”
“Some people are trying to rule the country in the name of religion. For vote bank, some politicians and selfish persons are trying to create communal disturbances. The Samajotsava is going on and simultaneously communal violence has increased. We do not object the Hindu Samajotsava. Let Christians, Muslims and Hindus celebrate their respective ‘samajotsavas’, but the ‘samajotsavas’ should not be the reason for communal violence, disharmony or disturbance for the people in the society. The organizers who hold ‘samajotsavas’ should take total responsibility to see that there is no violence.”
“Instead of holding Hindu samajotsava, we have to hold “Hindu Samaja Sudaranotsava”. The differences in the society due to communalism, untouchability and financial imbalance must be rooted out by reconstructing the society from the base level. Today, poor people do not have the right to lead a respectful life. There is a huge difference between the rich and the poor. Keeping all such problems aside, we talk about Dharma which is morally wrong. We have to wipe out the tears of the poor and not be the cause of tears in anyone’s eyes. All religions teach us to wipe out others tears. They do not teach us to kill anyone. But how many of us really follow our religion? No religion teaches us to destroy other religions, but teaches us to destroy violence from our religion. We need to destroy non religious thoughts from our minds. In Nigeria, a seven year old child was used as a human bomb. Islam says that if an innocent person has been killed, it is equal to the killing of humanity. We have to build a strong nation by correcting our thinking first.”
He further said that a central minister said that the ‘Shrimad Bhagwad Gita’ should be declared as the national holy book. “Our Constitution says India is a secular country. The Constitution is the Holy Book in a democracy and no one can compare that book to any other books. Whoever says that we are Hindus, they should be Indians first. Even the Christians, Muslims and other people who belong to other religions should be Indian first. We should not see the country through the religious eyes, but see it in a patriotic spirit. We have to respect all the holy books, the Quran, Ved, Vedanta, Bible, Guru Granth Sahib, Gita, because they are our pride and the holy books teach us values.”
Recalling the Ghar Wapsi, Swamiji said that every person who is born in this country has the right to choose his own religion and no one has the right to forcibly convert him. “Conversion is not new, it has been there from ages. Religion does not help the poor, the poor people remain poor. If a religion still exists it is because of the poor people who follow the religion faithfully. Rich people do not follow religion. If there is humanity or devotion, it is because of the poor. Christians and Muslims convert people but they help the community people and provide financial and educational help. Let the Hindus who have wealth spend it on the poor and provide them financial help to lead a decent life. Why are the Hindus not helping people of their own community? The leaders of the community should think why there is conversion in their religion? There should be freedom to convert and re-convert, and not forcible conversion.”
“If I respect Jesus, it is not necessary for me to be a Christian. If I respect the Quran, It is not necessary for me to become a Muslim. Some political leaders always think negative and create rift among the society to grow their vote bank. The country should not be the victim of such leaders. We need to be united to save our country. Whatever religion we follow, whatever culture we adopt, we are all Indians, and should all be Indians first. Our religion should not come out of our houses. We are Christians, Muslims and Hindus in our homes and when we go out, we are Indians.”
State President of DYFI Muneer Katipalla delivered the presidential address. District Vice PresidentDYFI B K Imtiyaz delivered the vote of thanks. State President of SFI V Ambarish, DSS leader MDevdas, Vasudev Uchil, Vasanth Achari, V Kukkian, Yashwant Maroli, Kirana Prabha and NitinKuthar were also present.
Swamji, people of your caliber has to speak loud now. Let the Hindus-Muslims-Christian-Sikhs-Buddhists-Jains and the rest may hold the flag written with the writing ” we are brothers and sisters” to keep India prospering in peace and love.
Those politicians using the religious card to sow the seeds of friction in between the neighbors must be baptized in the holy cow dung pool.