Seer defends iftar party in temple, says 'didn't hurt sentiments'

Udupi, Jun 27: Vishweshateertha Swami of Pejawar Mutt on Monday defended the iftar party organised for members of the Muslim community at the Krishna Mutt here on Saturday.

The pontiff’s defence comes in the backdrop of Sri Rama Sene founder Pramod Muthalik’s criticism of the event being held in the Mutt.

The seer said he had done nothing wrong to hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus, instead he had upheld the ethos of the Hindu religion of tolerance and harmony.

He was speaking to reporters after a 40-minute closed door meeting with Muthalik. The seer said he had been striving to bridge the gap between the communities and had never failed to raise his voice when injustice was meted out to Hindus. The Muslim community had been cooperative during the paryaya, he said.

He said Muthalik’s claim that he had hurt the sentiments of Hindus held no water as he had received accolades from all sections of the society.

The pontiff denied the charge that members of the Muslim community were allowed to perform namaz (holy prayer) on the premises of the Mutt. The namaz, before breaking the fast, was facilitated at the ‘bhojana shala’ (dining hall), which is away from the Mutt.

Regarding the other apprehension over beef consumption, the seer said it is not only Muslims who consume beef, there are also some Hindus who eat beef. Just because they consume beef, people cannot be stopped from entering the temple. They can be advised or requested not to consume beef, the seer said.

“My predecessor had visited Haji Abdullah’s house for the pre-paryaya ritual and accepted offerings in 1904. Even Madhwacharya had harmonious relations with Muslims and was felicitated by the community people.”