Mangalore, November 23: Thousands of protesters on Thursday converged in Nehru Maidan in the city to urge the union government not to pass the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill-2011.
The protest was organised under the banner of Hindu Hitharakshana Vedike in association with several Hindutva outfits.
Addressing the protesters, RSS leader Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat said: Being Hindus it is our responsibility to challenge the union government's extreme move to appease minorities.
Lashing out at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, he said that she must remember that rulers like Aurangazeb Alamgir too could not do much damage to India.
“We know that Sonia had successfully fooled her late husband Rajiv Gandhi. However, she cannot fool the nation with this Bill,” he said.
Hindus have tolerated enough and time has come to attack the ones who are acting against the values of Hinduism, he said.
Sadguru Rajayogi Ramananda Swamiji of Kshetra Kolya said that despite being majority community Hindus in this country are living like second class citizens.
“We must not behave like timid creatures, but, roar like lions. We must not let an inch of land in India to be grabbed by other religions for their religious activities”, he said.
Mohandas Swamiji of Manila said: “The UPA government is only interested in the vote bank politics and it is responsible for many of the atrocities committed against Hindus”
He said, though Sanathana Hindu Dharm spreads only love, tolerance and communal harmony, the Centre is trying to create darkness by curbing knowledge. The government of India under the leadership of Congress is spreading ideals of Pakistan in the country; he said adding that entire Hindu community should unite to fight against “the destructive policies of this government”.
Rajashekharananda Swamiji of Vajradehi Mutt, in his address accused the union government of pursuing divide and rule policy.
Holding the religious minorities of India responsible for Godhra violence, he said that Hindus must develop strength against the evil forces.
The union ministers are depicting the Violence Prevention Bill as the need of hour. But, if we make up our mind we can prevent it, he said.
Delivering the introductory address Prof M B Puranik, Vice president, VHP, Karnataka, said that because of Central government's minority appeasement policy, the ideals and values of Hinduism are under threat.
“The proposed bill will harm an entire generation”, he said.
He said that Hindus are a minority in Jammu and Kashmir and thus we have no say in that state. The government's move will subjugate the Hindus in rest of India too, he warned.
The Dharma Jagran leader Muniyappa also spoke on the occasion.
The meeting began with the recitation of the 'Vande Mataram' which was followed by the welcome speech by Ramesh S, president of HHV.
Prior to the public meet, a grand rally was taken out from Jyouti Circle to the venue.
Traffic disruption
In the wake of the rally, traffic movement in the city was restricted from 1pm. As per deputy commissioner N S Channappa Gowda's order, all buses from Mahaveer Circle took a diversion through Kankanady, Valencia, Jeppu Market, Mulihitlu and Cascia High School and return on the same route. Entry into the city via Kankanady and Balmatta was banned.
Buses from Mahakalipadpu ended trips near Cascia High School and returned from there. Buses plying on route number 27 ran between Attavar Anand Shetty Circle and Mangaladevi. Buses from Nanthoor route ended trips at Mallikatte and returned. Similarly, buses plying to various places on MG Road were not allowed to enter the city, and ended their trips at Lalbagh.
Movement of vehicles and parking was completely banned on rally route from Jyothi Circle to Nehru Maidan till the end of the rally. Vedike had arranged parking facilities at various places in the city.
However, normalcy was restored in traffic flow after 6:30 pm.
The student-activist, who was allowed to talk on stage, suddenly raised pro-Pakistan slogans. She was arrested by police after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi snatched her mike.
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