Mangaluru, Feb 22: “There are many people trying to stop us from organizing the Hindu Samajotsava on March 1, but no matter what, the programme is going to be held successfully,” said Congressman and Hindu Samajotsava committee president Vijaynath Vittal Shetty.
He was addressing a press meet organized by the VHP golden jubilee committee and Hindu Samajotsava committee here on Thursday February 26.
Referring to the attack on St Joseph Vaz prayer centre at Panir, he said, “I can guarantee that the Panir church attack was not done by Hindus. People are eagerly waiting for us to fail.”
Working president of VHP Karnataka province M B Puranik said, “At 2 pm on the day of Hindu Samajotsava (March 1), a ‘shobha yatra’ will be held from Jyothi (Dr Ambedkar) circle, which will consist of tableaux, chende vadana, bhajan teams, cultural teams and many other artistes. At 4 pm the formal ceremony will start. Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math will bless the occasion. Dr Veerendra Heggade will preside over the ceremony. Sadhwi Balika Saraswati will address the gathering. By 5:30 pm the programme will finish. All the decorations and preparations are in place.”
District president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Jagadish Shenava said, “About 3,000 members will look after the smooth functioning of the programme. LED displays will be put up, and 20 Swamijis will be present on the stage. As many as 3,200 police personnel will be deployed. The police department has supported us throughout the preparations. As many as 500 buses are alloted.
“In Thokkottu our banner was burnt down. The Hindu society is tolerating all sorts of things,” he added.
To a query on the objective behind holding the Hindu Samajotsava, M B Puranik said, “The main intention of the Samajotsava is to restrospect on the years gone by and to prepare ourselves to face the challenges of the future, and to sort out the various internal issues, problems faced by Hindu society, and to boost our strength and courage. We do not have any bad intention towards anyone. Our purpose is to live among the people with harmony. Some people are trying to mislead us, but without any kind of instigation we will live our lives peacefully. All are equal.”
