Saffron Rules Udupi for Historic Dharma Sansad
Pics by Prasanna Kodavoor
Udupi: Preparations are underway in full swing for the Dharma Sansad, being organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), to be held at the Udupi Royal Garden here from November 24 to 26, are in the final stages.
Nearly 2500 seers and saints would be participating in the Dharma Sansad. In 1985 the second Dharma Sansad was held in Udupi. Its Inaugural session was presided over by Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math. More than 851 saints and seers hailing from across the country participated in the Sansad. A resolution to enter Sri Rama Mandir by breaking the locks was taken then. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had opened the locks and facilitated the visit of the faithful. Now once again under the guidance of Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math and Dr D Veerendra Hegde of Dharmasthala, the Dharma Sansad has been organised in Udupi.
The issue of fixing the date for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is likely to be discussed at the Dharma Sansad. Other issues that would be discussed include dealing with casteism in the Hindu community, removal of untouchability, stopping conversion and the promotion of cow protection.
On Tuesday, November 22, Briefing the media persons Prof. M B Puranik said that the Dharma Sansad would be inaugurated by Shivakumar Mahaswami of Siddaganga Math, Tumakuru, and Veerasomeshwara Rajadesikendra Shivacharya Swami, Ramabhapuri, at the Royal Gardens, here at 10:00 a.m. on Friday.
Nirmalanandanath Swami of Adichunchungiri Math, Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Yogi Adithyanath Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Dr Ravi Shanker Guruji of Art of Living, Mata Amrithanandamayi, Madara Chennaiah Swamiji of Chitradurga and many other seers and saints will take part in the three-day-long Dharma Sansad.
Discussions will be held on various topics Such as “Pathway for the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya” and “Programmes to protect and promote cows”, “Efforts needed to promote social harmony” and the “Prevention of conversion – Programmes to protect our culture during the Dharma Sansad. An exhibition, Hindu Vaibhava, will be organised at the Royal Gardens.
The Dharma Sansad would pass its resolutions from 10:00 a.m.to 12.30 p.m. on November 26. The Saints would lead a procession, Shobha Yatre, at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
A mega Hindu Samajotsava would be held at the MGM College Grounds at 4:00 p.m. on the same day. Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, would deliver the keynote address at the Samajotasva, while D Veerendra Heggade of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala would address the entire Dharma Sansad. Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Pejawar Math would preside over the function.
A procession or Shobha Yatre would precede the Samajotsava. The procession would start from Jodu Katte at 3:00 p.m. and pass through Lions Club, Diana Circle, Kavi Muddana Road, Hanuman Circle, Service Bus Stand, Shiribeedu Junction, City Bus Stand, Kadiyali, Kunjibettu and culminate at the MGM College grounds, where the Samajotsava would be held.
A convention of the Samaj Pramukhs or heads of communities of different districts of the State would be held at the Rajangana from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.on Sunday. Surendrakumar Jain, International General Secretary of VHP, would deliver the keynote address.
Meanwhile Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math speaking to media persons said that religious and traditional issues would be focused in the three-day conference. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend the conference. As many as 2,000 saints have been approached. The seer of Siddaganga Mutt Dr Shivakumar Swami will attend the inaugural ceremony. Core issues are Ayodhya, the ban on cattle slaughter and the conservation of Hinduism. The seer said that as the issue of Ram Mandir is in court, there could be a possibility of the Central government and the Uttar Pradesh government, which is run by BJP, passing a Bill in favour of the temple. He said, although, the country is in the third position in the export of beef, there is a need to stop cattle slaughter completely, adding that the demand to ban cattle slaughter is not new. It exists since many decades. Even during the Morarji Desai government in 1977, Vinobha Bhave demanded a ban on cow slaughter and held an indefinite hunger strike. However, there are no fruitful results for any of the protests carried out in the past.
Categorically stating that Dharma Samsad is completely dissociated from the politics and political agenda, the seer said that the occasion would be purely the conglomeration of Hindu saints. The seers belonging to Sikh, Buddhist, Jains and Lingayats communities will be attending the conference. Vishwa Hindu Parishat always considers all the ‘dharmas’ introduced by the seers in the country as a fraction of Hinduism. It is a wonderful occasion to celebrate Hinduism and protect it from the evils of untouchability and conversion, he added.