Mangalore, February 6: “Swami Vivekananda had said that any change or revolution in the country has to originate from the Mysore Karnataka region. The time for the revolution has indeed arrived. We should trigger that change,” said Chakravarthi Soolibele, organisor of Jago Bharat.
Speaking at a function at the University College in Hampankatta on Monday to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Vivekananda, he urged the student community to study the spiritual leader and imbibe values propagated by him.
The programme was held amid controversies after the college management initially refused to give permission to the organisors for inviting a firebrand Hindutva speaker.
After days of protest and talks, the college management struck a deal with the organisors and gave the go-ahead for the programme.
In an indirect call to the student community to tone up their muscles for the cause of nation-building, Mr. Soolibele said: “Vivekananda was in favour of taking up football as a sport because you have an opportunity to kick at your opponent. Therefore you should play football and develop muscles before you read Gita. Even Sri Krishna has clearly called for war to protect religion. If you don't have the power to flex your muscles, what is the use of reading Gita.”
Today the world is looking at India, where yoga, culture, organic farming has become part of life. The world is today bereft of values and India has the power to lead the world, he said.
Principal of the college Lakshminarayana Bhatta presided over the function. Professor Harish, student leaders Shivaprasad, Ashiwni, Harinakshi among others were present. College students' council leader Guruprasad delivered a welcome speech.
Students turned up in large numbers as the auditorium was filled to the capacity. The prgramme was held amid tight security as activists of Students Federation of India protested outside the campus opposing the participation of Soolibele in the programme.
Addressing the protestors, Jeevanraj Kuttar, joint secretary of the organization said the Jago Bharat had been trying to divide the country and Soolibele, who talks about patriotism, should not be allowed to participate.
DYFI leaders Sunil Kumar Bajal, B.K. Imthiyaz, progressive thinkers Vasudev Uchchil, I.A. Prasanna, Lingappa Nanthur were present. Activists of Campus Front of India had also come forward to stage a protest, but they were sent back by the police.
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