Poojary clears doubts on 'Violence Prevention Bill'; says Made-Snana may spread AIDS

Mangalore, December 3: Brushing aside the allegations that 'Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill 2011' proposed by Union Government is anti-Hindu, Senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary said the Bill is aimed at protecting not only religious minorities but linguistic minorities as well.

Addressing the media persons at District Congress Office here on Saturday Mr Poojary lamented that the Sangh parivar, out of ignorance has already started labeling the Bill as anti-Hindu, even though it was yet to be tabled in the parliament.

He also revealed that, the leaders of saffron outfits, in the recently held protest rally against the Bill, have misquoted some of the sections of the Bill.

Stating that the Bill will prevent acts which may result in injury or harm to a person or property belonging to any group, he clarified that, in this Bill the word “group” refers to any religious or linguistic minority in any State.

In fact, the Bill would also protect a large section of Hindus. “It will also protect linguistic minorities such as Tulu speaking Brahmins, Konkanis, Bunts, Billavas etc. Are they not Hindus?” he questioned.

Referring to Bal Thackeray's recent remarks on Kannadigas, the Congress leader said once the Bill passed, it would prevent such offences.

“Hindus need not be afraid of this Bill”, he said adding that it would only target only those who involve in communal violence.

'Made-Made Snana may spread AIDS'

Replying to a query on controversial ritual of 'Made-Made Snana' at government-run Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, Mr Poojary said there are possibilities of spread AIDS, TB and skin diseases, as the devotees offer 'Urulu Seve' without wearing clothes, over the plantain leaves having leftovers of meal served to Brahmins.

“Come Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple you can offer clean and hygienic Urulu Seve. That too wearing your clothes,” he said.

If the chief pontiff of Pejavara mutt Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji and Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade have any morality, they should oppose such acts, he challenged.