Maddur: BJP MLC CT Ravi said Hindutva and the nation’s strength were closely linked, and called for public Ganeshotsav celebrations to become platforms for social unity, harmony and awareness rather than remain confined to religious rituals.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a mass Ganesh idol immersion programme in Maddur, Ravi said there should be no place for caste discrimination or untouchability during Ganeshotsav.
“There should be a strong sense that we are all Hindus and we are one,” he said, adding that public celebrations should help address divisions within Hindu society.
Ravi said casteism and untouchability had weakened Hindu society and argued that public Ganeshotsav programmes should contribute to overcoming such divisions and strengthening social cohesion.
He also recalled that Bal Gangadhar Tilak had promoted public Ganesh celebrations with the objective of creating social awareness. According to Ravi, the festival should be used to raise awareness on issues including caste discrimination, untouchability and religious conversion.
‘Ganeshotsav not just about rituals and food’
Ganeshotsav should not be restricted to performing puja and distributing traditional sweets, Ravi said, adding that the celebrations should also provide a platform for cultural expression and social awareness.
Referring to demographic changes in regions such as Gandhara, Sindh, Bengal and Kashmir, he said historical developments should be studied while creating social awareness.
Ravi attacks Congress
Ravi accused the Congress of relying on “appeasement politics” and alleged that attempts were being made to divide Hindu society along caste lines for electoral considerations.
He also alleged that Hindu festivals faced restrictions while questioning whether the same rules were being applied uniformly to programmes of different communities.
There should be no situation where a Ganesh procession is stopped merely because a mosque is located along its route, he said, adding that uniform rules should govern religious processions in public places.
Raises DJ Halli, KG Halli violence
Referring to the violence in DJ Halli and KG Halli, Ravi said the house of then Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy had been set on fire and challenged Congress leaders to speak clearly about the incident.
He also questioned attempts to associate allegations of terrorism with Hindutva, saying terrorism should not be linked to Ganesh or Hindutva.
Ravi said he had entered politics over issues concerning Hindutva and not to use Hindutva for political gains. He called for public Ganeshotsav to be viewed as a platform for social awareness rather than a political programme.
‘Allow peaceful celebrations’
Ravi said Ganeshotsav itself did not lead to violence and claimed that clashes occurred when processions came under attacks such as stone-pelting or petrol-bombing.
He said people should not be deprived of their right to celebrate their festivals peacefully.
Ravi also warned that an “attitude of arrogance in exercising government power” and the belief that “anything can be done” would not last indefinitely in a democracy. He said people in Karnataka would respond through democratic means to policies or actions they perceived as being against Hindus.