Become Indians first, counsels Swami Chennamalla

No events should cause communal violence, he exhorts

Those who want to be identified as Hindu, Muslim or Christian should become Indians first. They should not see the country in the perspective of religion. There is only one India for all and we should live with unity and harmony, said Sri Veerabhadra Chennamalla Swamiji of Nidumaamidi Mutt.

Addressing the gathering at a public conference in front of the DC office, after the ‘Ikyateyedege Souharda Nadige’, a march for unity from Ambedkar Circle to Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Tuesday, Swamiji said in the name of development of prominence is being given to communalism and extremism in the country.

The rich tradition of the country was developed by saints, Soofis and philosophers and they enriched people’s mind with humanity. But, politicians always divided people on various bases for political reasons. Unfortunately, now people have started listening politicians than saints, which is really dangerous to the country, he said.

Hindu Samajotsava

Swamiji said that Hindu Samajotsava is being organised from past two decades and let them do it for political reasons. Other communities also have the right to organise such celebrations.

However, no such events should cause communal violence. Common man would be happy with ‘Hindu Samaja Sudaranotsava’ than ‘Hindu Samajotsava’. With many problems like untouchability, casteism, poverty, discrimination between rich and poor, they don’t have moral right to speak about the religion, he said.

Prophet Muhammad Paigambar had defined Jihad as fighting against the bad qualities oneself. Communals are those who harm or motivate others to harm their own religion.

So, Hindus, Muslims or any other communities should protect their religion from their own people. No religion makes others weep or motivates people to kill a person, he said.
Hindu nation

Hindu community people of the nation would like to convert India a Hindu nation, however India is very different from other countries. Here one religion can not be a national religion and people of that religion can not rule others. The leaders of the nation wanted India to be a secular nation and everyone should live with peace and self respect. If it is not followed, it would put nation in danger, he said.

On Bhagavad Gita

Sri Veerabhadra Chennamalla Swamiji opined that Hindu religious scripture Bhagavad Gita can not be declared as national religious text when the country is declared as secular. Indian Constitution which leads the country can be the only national religious text and not even Quran or Bible. They are self-realisation scriptures of respective communities. He said that Bhagavad Gita was written by Kshatriyas against Vaidics.

But, Vaidics tilted it for their benefit. Though Gita is a philosophy, there are certain fundamental things in it. It is not fair to add Gita to the Constitution in it’s current format, he said. However, burning of the book is not a solution, he added.

Speaking on ‘Ghar vapasi’, seer claimed that religious conversion is a right given by the nature which is supported by the Constitution. Conversion by pressure is not good. However, both who support and oppose religious conversion expect political benefit.

They want to maintain certain category of people as vote bank. They don’t do anything for the poor, who actually follow the religion.

DYFI State President Muneer Katipalla expressed concerned about the untoward incidents which are happening in the surrounding of the city on the wake of Hindu Samajotsava. Seven MLAs of coastal part never give a clear-cut answer for water problem, confusion about Kasturirangan report, communal violence and many other problems being faced by people. They don’t sit together to solve the problems, but they keep investors happy. They provoke people in the name of religion, but it is just a part of politics for them.

Presiding over the function, DYFI District President Dayanand Shetty said that it alarming fact minority communalism is also in increase in the district. Communalism in any religion is against human values.

SFI State President V Ambarish, thinker Chandrakala Nandavara, CPI(M) District Secretary Vasanth Achary, CPI District Secretary V Kukyan, DYFI District Vice President B K Imtiyaz,  SFI District President Nitin Kuthar and others were present among others.