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Monday, August 07, 2006

Hindutva should not be linked to fascism

Prasar Bharati chief M V Kamath on Sunday came down heavily on the media for increasingly associating Hindutva with fascism and said that the words ‘secularism’ and ‘ fundamentalism’ were being used in an irresponsible manner.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘Hindutva, Rashtriyate, Vaishishtyate’ organised by Guruji Janmashatabdi Samiti at University College, Mangalore, the Kamath observed that media had developed a trend to sensationalise attacks on minorities but keep quiet when there is a same kind of attack on majority community.

Several places of worship belonging to the majority community have been damaged in the past, but the media seem to have ignored them. However, the same media created unnecessary controversy when a place of worship was demolished a few years ago, he said.

Kamath also criticised the so called intellectuals and secularists stating that they were only working for minority communities. They have totally failed to understand the concept of Hindutva, he said. Hinduism provides for freedom of thinking, expression, and independence which are exemplary, he said.

He said it was unfortunate that some people within the community were shy to call themselves Hindus. Even if one goes to temple to pray he is shy to disclose the same in public. He said adding that the Hindus should first start feeling proud of themselves.

He said that even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had once told press persons that she often visited temples to watch the sculptures and avoided telling them that going to temples was to pray to god.

Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof K M Kaveriappa in his address stressed on the opportunities for inter-religious debates to sort out social tensions. India is a nation of many religions and culture and there should be equal opportunities for all, he said.

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