No religion advocates greed over need: Justice Hegde

Mangalore, April 7: No religion advocates snatching of others' property for one's own selfish needs said Justice N Santosh Hegde, Former Lokayukta.

He was speaking at the valedictory programme of the month-long 'Know the Prophet (pbuh) of Mankind' campaign held by New Age India Forum (NAIF) in Mangalore on Friday.

People, especially youth, must understand the real meaning of contentment. The satisfaction one gets by pocketing someone else's property is not real. The feeling you get in whatever little you earn by way of legitimate means is contentment in the true sense of the term, Mr. Hegde said.

He also said that when people stop being human, they actually do not represent their respective religions. “They are not followers of 'dharma' at all”, he said.

Mr. Hegde also released a book on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Kannada penned by Rafiyuddin Kudroli, Chief of NAIF.

Dr. M M James, Director, BTL Institute, said that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) worked towards removal of caste system in the society and transformed people. “A community is different from a crowd. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) built a community. He removed economic inequality too through the system of Zakath and abolition of interest. I feel the credit for initiation of cooperative principles should also be given to him”, Dr. James said.

In his presidential address, Abdussalam Puthige, Editor in chief, Vartha Bharathi, said that today social and economic imbalance is widespread across the globe. “Every day about 50,000 people die due to poverty and malnourishment all over the world. To tackle poverty, what our politicians do is push down the poverty line”, he said.

Stating that mere orations and speeches do not transform a society, Mr. Puthige said that was the case, India would have been the most problem free and poverty free country in the world as no country in the world possesses orators and preachers in the world in such a big number as India. Comparing Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) idea of social justice with that of Karl Marx, Mr. Puthige said that unlike Marx, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave equal importance to all three components i.e. person, society and system.

“Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) opposed traditional values and blind beliefs that were being followed in Arabia from generations. Even after becoming a head of the state, he lived a poor man's life. He did not like people standing up for him in reverence. He called his followers as 'sahabas' which means companions and not students. By saying that one need not bow down and touch one's parents' feet, he taught human dignity to people in the sense that he/she need not bow down or budge to anyone, not even to the ruler of the state. He introduced the concept of 'Khilafat' wherein he gave rights to people to question the Caliph even with regard to his expenses of his food and clothing. The 'Khalifa' is not a ruler. He is a representative. The Prophet (pbuh) introduced the system of Zakath and made it clear that members of his family and lineage will not be eligible for the Zakath money”, Mr. Puthige said.

Prizes were given away on the occasion to winners of quiz and essay competitions conducted by NAIF as part of the campaign. Competitions were held in separate categories for Muslims and non-Muslims.

Winners of quiz competition (Non-Muslim category):

I Place: Navya Shetty, Shruthi (St Agnes College, Mangalore)

II Place: Michelle Vineet D'Souza, Savitha Suvarna (Yenepoya Nursing College, Mangalore)

III Place: Smitha, Navya (PA Engineering College, Deralakatte)

Winners of quiz competition (Muslim category):

I Place: Muzahath, Tasneema (St Agnes College, Mangalore)

II Place: Bibi Shahina, Ashirabi (Govt. First Grade College, Balmatta)

Winners of essay competition:

I Place: Satish KUmar Pundikai