Mangaluru, May 10: Calling Gautama Buddha a harbinger of democracy, PWD Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa on Wednesday said that the founder of Buddhism had laid emphasis on a democratic setup in the society to protect weaker sections from the oppressors.
The minister, who also hails from a suppressed class, was speaking after inaugurating the Buddha Purnima, the 2561st birthday of Buddha, organised by Bauddha Mahasabha, Dakshina Kannada, at Town Hall in the city.
He said that Dr B R Ambedkar, who embraced the Buddhism in protest against the caste system of Hinduism, too had fought against the oppressors including communal and fascist forces. He also called upon the young generation to uphold the values of Buddhism such as consciousness and compassion and fight against communal and casteist forces.
Claiming that there was no caste system in Indian during the time of Buddha, he called upon the people to work towards establishing a ‘Buddha Bharat’ and a ‘prosperous Bharat’. He also recalled that Pope John Paul II during his first visit to India had stated that “India is a great country where Buddha was born”.
Speaking on the occasion, forest minister B Ramanath Rai urged the people to end hatred. “In this world, we can win over people with love and not with hatred. The solution to hatred is not hatred, but love,” he said.
Recalling Dr Ambedkar’s contribution in preserving Buddhism, C Mahadevayya, Tahsildar, Mangaluru stated “Babasaheb Ambedkar is the reviver of Buddhism”.
Kavitha Sanil, Mayor, Mangaluru City Corporation, Mohiuddin Bava, MLA, Mangalore City North, and B H Khadar, Chairman of the Cashew Development Corporation, also spoke. Kanthappa Alangar, President, Bauddha Mahasabha, Dakshina Kannada presided over the function.
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