Demonstrations by HJS demanding the declaration of religious places as authorized

Mangaluru (Karnataka) : Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) recently took out a protest march through Mangaluru city for their demands that the State Government should declare all religious places which are on the land owned by the Government, as authorized and the proposed Act to take over management of Hindu temples be cancelled. The Supreme Court had already issued an order to emolish all unauthorized religious constructions. This mammoth rally began with performing ‘puja’ of the ‘Dharmadhvaj’ from Sharayuvipi Temple. As the protest rally reached the office of District Collector, it was converted into an assembly. Mr. Lakshmish Gabbdalaka, a devout Hindu, Mr. I. V. Rao, the President of Sree Somanatheshwar Temple and retired professor, Mr. Mohan Gauda of HJS, Mr. Vinay Nayak, the President of Talapadi Rambhajan Mandir and former member of District Panchayat so also Mrs. Sangita Prabhu of Sanatan Sanstha shared the dais.

The law must have certain limitations – Mr. Lakshmish Gabbadalaka

Mr. Lakshmish Gabbadalaka, the Chief Speaker of the meeting said, “Religious sentiments of Hindus have been hurt due to the verdict passed by the Supreme Court. Some of the temples among the lot are ancient and bear special religious and historical importance.” He also condemned the proposed Act to take over the management of temples.

It is very unfortunate that in the country with Hindu Dharma as its base, the temples are being destroyed – Prof. Rao

In the list of temples declared as unauthorized, there are few temples which are more than thousand years old. It is very unfortunate that in a country based on Hindu Dharma, temples are being destroyed, said Professor I. V. Rao.

Few temples existed much before the Act was passed – Mr. Mohan Gauda

In the list declared by the Government, 640 temples are more than thousand years old. These temples are existing long before the Act was passed. This shows that the order is improper, said Mr. Mohan Gauda of HJS. The Government’s policy towards unauthorized mosques is not stringent. The money collected in the temples is used for development of madarasas, he criticized. A memorandum in this regard has been forwarded to the Chief Minister Mr. Yediyurappa through the District Collector.

Highlights

• More than 1500 devout Hindus took part in the rally despite heavy rains.
• Some devotees had brought boards condemning the Government’s decision.
• Groups of devout Hindus had come to the venue spending their own money.

Source: Dainik Sanatan Prabhat