Pejawar seer’s 10 powerful slaps in the face of communal hate-mongers

CD Network | Sumedha V

June 28, 2017

The ‘Sauhaarda Iftar Koota’ recently hosted by Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji, the chief pontiff of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt in Udupi’s historic Krishna Temple/Mutt has triggered a widespread controversy as several hate-mongers have accused him of hurting the sentiments of Hindus.

The seer has taken to social media to counter the continuous onslaught of the communal forces and uploaded a video wherein he made his stance clear. Here are the 10 interesting points from the video clip that not only promote communal harmony but also serve as a tight slap to the communalism.

1. The Krishna Temple’s dining hall is open to all irrespective of caste, creed and religion
The seer stated that he has seen thousands of Christians and Muslims eating in the temple’s dining hall in the past too. So, there the ‘iftar meet’ hosted by him is not an innovation in the temple’s customs.

2. Religious scriptures say “feed the hungry”
“When the religious scriptures also ask us to feed the hungry, how is it wrong on my part to invite the fasting Muslims and feed them?... When we can become friends, why can’t we call them for dinner?” questioned the seer.

3. Peace is good for all the communities, as well as for the country
The seer laid emphasis on the significance of maintaining peace in the society. Referring to recent communal clashes, the seer said that peace needs to be restored for the good of the country. Taking the first step will only bring good name to the Hindus; it cannot harm the Hindus in any way, he said.

4. “Madhvacharya promoted the Hindu-Muslim bond. I am walking in his footsteps”
The seer recalled the history of Madhvacharya who wanted good relationship with Muslim rulers of his time. He also narrated a story: “Once, Madhvacharya was surrounded by the soldiers of a Muslim ruler (outside the palace). He politely asked the soldiers not to harm him as they outnumbered him and his disciples. He told them that he just wanted to meet their king. The soldiers did not harm him. The king too was impressed by Madhvacharya and honored him.”

5. Muslim Sultans helped Hindu swamijis!
“A Muslim Sultan (king) donated land to the Mantralaya Swamiji out of sheer respect. On the other hand, Satyabhoda Swamiji is known to have given suggestions to the Sultan during his time. I am only trying to continue the friendly bond between two communities they began ages ago” he said.

6. “Muslims honored me too”
“If people can call me to their programs in Bhatkal, Gangavati, Kasargod and other places and treat me well, why can’t I invite them and show some hospitality? I see this as a basic human etiquette. Religion is not at all in question here” he said.

7. Namaz is a way to pray to the Lord. It’s not anti-Hindu
“After iftar, the Namaz was performed atop of dining hall which is open to the public, not in the sanctum sanctorum. Namaz doesn’t contain anything that insults Hindus or their religion in any way… How is it wrong to let others follow their traditions?” he asked.

8. Muslims helped the Mutt always
“A lot of Muslims have offered Hore Kaanike (offertory) to the Mutt during the Paryaya mahotsava. Udupi’s Haji Abdullah had also donated to the Mutt during the Paryaya of Parama-Guru Vishwajna Teertha in 1904. Muslims supported us and reassured our safety when a section of people (belonging to Hindu community) threatened to attack the Mutt recently. Such Muslims are always welcome here” he said.

9. Not only Muslims; many Hindus too eat beef!
The seer said that not only Muslims, but many Hindus too consume beef in India. “If Hindus or Muslims eat beef, one should convince them to shun it in friendly way and not by resorting to violence,” he opined.

10. “I follow my religion and tolerate others’ faiths”
The seer said that he always believed showing strict adherence to his religion while being tolerant towards other faiths. “I have always worked for the interest of Hindu religion. But I also want to continue having good relations with others as well” he said.

(The author, Sumedha V, is a student of mass communication and journalism. A native of Mysuru, she's currently residing in Mangaluru.)

Comments

A nice write up. Swamiji's bold statements are indeed praiseworthy.

Like all Hindus I am also a big fan of Pejawar Swamiji. But that doesn't mean whatever he does and says are 100% correct. Normally human beings lose their common sense when they become old. Still we respect our swamiji.

Swamiji has boldly accepted the fact that many Hindus consume beef. It would have been great if he revealed the fact that Vedas too advocate beef consumption and that beef was considered a holy food for Brahmins during vedik period.

In my opinion Sri Pejawar Swamiji is very close to Islam. Pious and practicing Muslims should get more closer to him and convince him what is Islam. Thanks sister Sumedha for this wonderful presentation. Thank you to CD too. You r doing a wonderful job.

We Hindus are always like this. We welcomed Muslims from other countries thinking they are also human beings like us. Unfortunately they cut country into many pieces and named it as Pakistan, Bangladesh etc. Now our swamiji is welcoming them to temples. I am worried whether in future they may think of converting krishna mutt into haji Abdulla mosque. We should always be careful about those people.

Swamiji has created a platform for interfaith debate. Now it's the responsibility of Muslims to take it forward as they have got a wonderful and historic opportunity.

Today's Muslims are followers of Aurangzeb and Tippu Sultan who massacred innocent Hindus. They are not followers of haji Abdulla.

Swamiji has not spoken the full truth. He has said Hindus also eat beef like Muslims. In fact Hindus are the major beef consumers and exporters in India. Most of the leading beef exporting companies in India are owned by Jains, Brahmins and other Hindus. some of the BJP leaders also doing this business. To fool others they keep Muslim names to their company. India's leading beef exporting company 'al-Kabeer' belong to Jains.

Edda mele buddi bantu..may Allah guide him to turn more towards truth.

Viren ningyavaga buddi barodo?? pryada doshavo illa bhootada kaatavo huttisidavane balla!

Even though I have immense respect for swamiji , but in principal we are against it . Swamijis should not hurt religious feelings and refrain out of politics . There is no need for debate with muslims . we have seen what we got in return when we showed immense love when they first entered india . do muslims allow us to celebrate dipavali in mosque and also ganeshotsav ? its wrong we hindus must give up this fake secularism . time has come to move towards hardcore hindutva . There is absolutely no need for this type of drama . They will back stab u from behind swamiji and history proved .

nothing wrong in swamiji's act, he should be the role model for every swamiji who always fight for non related issues.

he s the true swamiji atleast one swamiji s thr to work for hindu muslim unity. a big salute .

wonderful swamiji this s what we expect from all swamiji.

one day all will die... in between why fight? live peacefully and allow others to live peacefully.

This issue does not deserve this much of media publicity. There are many issues in the society. Forget this and move on instead of dragging and defaming the mutt.

Where is pink chaddi man ? Kick him out of karnataka. BJP ruled Goa also banned him. Then why Congress govt in karnataka allowing him to spread hatred?

One of the speciality of manuvaadi swamis is that they can tolerate Muslims and Christians but not Dalits. The one who vowed to build ram mandir and protect the interests of Hindus in India is now endorsing Muslim cause and trying to suppress Hindu voices. This is very unfortunate development. This has proved that upper caste Hindus are not true Hindus. They can change their loyalty anytime.

Dear Ranjan Shetty (comment 10)

Do you need burnol ? I have special saffron burnol and itch guard for u if you r not in a condition to bear this

Truly 10 powerful slaps in the face of hatemongers. The paid media is trying to bury swamijis statements by focusing more on statements of others. This online media has done a good job by highlighting it. Keep it up.

Hahahaha. When pejavar swami giving deekshe to Muslims? Now only ashta mathas are there. You can take yet another 'bold' step to create 2 more mathas - beary matha and sayiber matha

Viren Kotian,

Swamiji is telling the truth, Accept it and dont forget, U will not stay YOUNG alwz... If Your arrogance continues... U might see your own Common sense lose in old age.

Reality YOu deny is Hindus eating Beef, if a hindu doesnt eat beef, he is not a good hindu according to the vedas... (Atleast READ your scriptures before U say U are a hindu)

Dont think RSS is following the Hindu scripture... They are following the devils book which is destruction of the society.

THINK and WAKE UP

I wanted to give a proper reply to all including swamiji. But, i am not ready to get arrested for this silly issue. So ignoring.

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Tourism dept to enforce stringent pool and beach safety guidelines in coastal Karnataka

News Network

November 19,2024

In the wake of the tragic drowning of three students at a resort near Ullal on the outskirts of Mangaluru city, the tourism department in Dakshina Kannada is set to implement comprehensive safety guidelines for properties with swimming pools or beach access. This initiative aims to ensure guest safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.

New Safety Mandates for Resorts and Homestays

Rashmi S.R., deputy director (in-charge) of the tourism department, announced, “We will instruct all homestays and resorts to enforce precautionary measures, especially those with pools or direct beach access. Properties must ensure 24/7 supervision, particularly during guest hours. This tragedy highlights the importance of having trained personnel on-site.”

Key Safety Guidelines

The district, home to around 150 homestays and 130 resorts, will see the following measures enforced:

Clearly displaying pool depths.
Installing adequate safety equipment, such as life buoys.
Employing trained lifeguards at all times.
Establishing clear pool operating hours.
Reviewing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for pool and beach usage.

Booming Beach Tourism Calls for Vigilance

Manohar Shetty, president of the Association for Coastal Tourism (ACT), Udupi, highlighted the growing popularity of beachside resorts, particularly during peak seasons. Properties in Udupi, often fully booked with tourists from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kodagu, and Shivamogga, face increasing pressure to maintain safety standards.

Udupi district boasts 22 beachside commercial properties catering to this rising demand.

Shetty emphasized, “Authorities must scrutinize safety measures and carefully evaluate guidelines before issuing new resort licenses. Panchayats should rely on the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act when handling such cases.”

Long-Term Solutions for Water Safety

Recognizing the need for a cultural shift in water safety, Shetty proposed integrating swimming lessons into school curricula. This move would not only equip students with essential skills but also encourage safe participation in water-based activities.

A Safer Tomorrow for Coastal Tourism

As the tourism sector thrives, Mangaluru’s proactive approach underscores its commitment to visitor safety. The tragic incident serves as a wake-up call, propelling the industry towards stricter regulations and better preparedness, ensuring that coastal vacations remain both enjoyable and safe.

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Karnataka Assembly bypolls: Ruling Congress wins all 3 seats; setback to BJP-JD(S) alliance

News Network

November 23,2024

Bengaluru: In a boost to the ruling Congress in Karnataka, the party on Saturday swept the by-polls to three Assembly segments, causing a major setback to the BJP-JD(S) alliance in the state.

The Congress has retained Sandur, the seat considered to be its strong hold, and has also bagged Shiggaon and Channapatna segments, which were earlier held by BJP and JD(S) respectively.

The November 13 by-polls to Sandur, Shiggaon and Channapatna Assembly segments had witnessed a fierce fight between the ruling Congress and a combative BJP-JD(S) alliance.

The by-polls to Sandur, Shiggaon and Channapatna were necessitated as the seats fell vacant following the election of their respective representatives -- E Tukaram of Congress, former CM Basavaraj Bommai of BJP, and Union Minister Kumaraswamy of JD(S) to Lok Sabha in May elections.

The by-polls witnessed a straight fight between the ruling Congress and BJP in Sandur and Shiggaon segments, while in Channapatna, JD(S) which is part of the NDA alliance took on the grand old party.

Congress' C P Yogeeshwara won the Channapatna segment, defeating JD(S) candidate and Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, by a margin of 25,413 votes.

Former CM Basavaraj Bommai's son Bharath Bommai of BJP faced defeat against Congress' Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan in Shiggaon Assembly segment by a margin of 13,448 votes.

In Sandur, Congress candidate E Annapoorna, the wife of Bellary MP E Tukaram, won the seat vacated by her husband, by a margin of 9,649 votes.

Congress' win in the by-poll is seen as an endorsement of both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar's leadership, and the government's programmes, especially the five guarantee schemes.

Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Bharath Bommai, the third generation of Gowda and Bommai family respectively, who contested this bypolls, have lost. Their fathers and grandfathers had served as Karnataka's Chief Ministers in the past.

While for Bharath Bommai this was his electoral debut, for Nikhil it was his third electoral loss.

Among the three segments, Channapatna was considered to be a high profile battle, where the contest was between C P Yogeeshwara and actor-turned-politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy.

A five-time MLA from the segment and a former Minister, Yogeeshwara had joined the Congress after quitting BJP ahead of nomination.

There were plans to field Yogeeshwara on a JD(S) ticket, but he was not interested in it, and instead wanted Kumaraswamy to support him as BJP candidate. This was not acceptable to Kumaraswamy and his party, following which Yogeeshwara jumped ship.

However, Kumaraswamy had subsequently said he had agreed to Yogeeshwara contesting from BJP, and despite that he jumped ship to Congress, under the influence of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and his brother and former MP D K Suresh.

Nikhil had faced defeat in 2019 Lok Sabha and 2023 Assembly polls. It is seen as a setback for Kumaraswamy too, as he could not ensure son's win from the Channapatna, the seat he had twice represented in the past.

Congress' win is crucial for Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief and his brother Suresh to strengthen their position in their home district of Ramanagara, a Vokkaliga heartland.

In Shiggaon, BJP's Bharath Bommai, son of Basavaraj Bommai lost against Congress' Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, who had faced defeat against the former Chief Minister in the 2023 Assembly polls.

Initially, former MLA Syed Azeempeer Khadri, a Congress' ticket aspirant, had raised a banner of revolt in Shiggaon, by filing his nomination as an independent, but later withdrew after intervention by party leadership.

In Sandur, Bellary MP Tukaram's wife E Annapurna of Congress won from the seat vacated by her husband, against BJP ST Morcha president Bangaru Hanumanthu, who is considered close to party leader and former mining barron G Janardhan Reddy.

Sandur is a Congress' bastion, and Tukaram had represented it four times.

Congress winning the by-polls is seen as "crucial" for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to assert himself , amid demands for his resignation following charges against him in the MUDA site allotment case.

There were also behind-the-scenes political activities within the ruling Congress earlier this year, with a few ministers in his Cabinet holding closed door meetings, fueling speculation about leadership change. But such activities came to a halt following instructions from the party high command.

It is equally important for Shivakumar, who has not shied away from openly expressing his Chief Ministerial ambitions, amid speculations over "rotational Chief Minister formula," according to which he will become CM after two-and-half years (in this govt's five years tenure), but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.

The defeat in this by-poll is seen as a setback for state BJP President Vijayendra, who has been facing intense criticism and opposition from a section within the party, who have raised a banner of revolt against his leadership accusing him and his father, veteran leader B S Yediyurappa of "adjustment politics".

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