RSS, VHP join hands with PFI, SDPI for peace march today

Leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) are all set to participate in a peace march to promote communal harmony in the city, with their counterparts from the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India on Friday.

Besides, representatives of all faiths, political parties and organisations, including Kannada activists are joining the silent march, along with Mayor M J Ravikumar and retired professor P V Nanjaraja Urs, the organisers.

The march has been organised by Anthakarana, founded by Nanjaraja Urs, with the theme 'Navu Manushyaru: Navellaru Onde' (We are humans: We all are one) in view of the recent communal disturbances and killings in the coastal region.

The march will be held on Ashoka Road, beginning at St Philomena Church at 10.30 am, with the lighting of
candles. It will arrive at Masjid-E-Azam, where sambrani (benzoin) will be offered and will culminate at Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple at 11.45 am, where a lamp will be lit," said Urs, here on Thursday.

Mayor Ravi Kumar said, "This is not a rally for show of strength. Even if a handful of people join us with genuine intention, we will take out the procession. It will be sans any slogan or speech. The participants
will display placards and will take a oath of humanity, administered by spiritual leaders, near the temple. However, all people who care for the society can join us," he said.

Trendsetter

"Mysuru has been a pioneer in several aspects. Starting from the establishment of a welfare state; establishment of schools in remote villages; special institutions for girls and Dalits, as part of an inclusive policy; provision of reservation in jobs for the downtrodden; maintenence of cleanliness; establishment of industries; establishment of research institutions; etc; Mysuru has shown the way for progress. Now, we hope to spread a message of harmony, which can be replicated across the nation," he said.

Urs said, "Following a suggestion by Police Commissioner Dr A Subrahmanyeshwara Rao, we plan to hold a similar silent march in Mangaluru next month. In Mysuru district also, in Hunsur, where a religious issue has disturbed peace, we will hold a march in the last week of this month.

"For short-term political gains, politicians are provoking communal and religious antagonisms among the youth. So, somewhere, we have to begin," he said.

Dr A S Chandrasekhar, south India convenor of Arogya Bhagya movement of the RSS, said, love is
capable of winning over others.

"Why use hatred and force against others? Murder is not acceptable to anybody. This should stop. Mysuru will be a model for the whole nation in promoting harmony," he said.

Humanity above all

Retired professor Shabeer Mustafa said, we are connecting with persons all over the world due to the revolution in communication technology, but, we are disconnected with the people living around us. "We wish to drive a message that humanity is above everything," he said.