Generally, Hindu fisher folk are highly traditional oriented and religious minded in their outlook and life. Their belief in Hindu traditions and scriptures connect them with every inch of this land as they consider Bharat as their holy motherland. The belief that the son of Satyavati had become the ruler of Hastinapura has been deep-rooted in their traditional and religious practices. Today this section, who are a major inhabitants of Kerala coastal belt has become economically deprived because of the negligence and step motherly treatment of the ruling class. They are being exploited and sidelined by other religious groups and governments—in the State and Centre. The help extended by the goverments to the fishermen for their economic upliftment is being snatched away by the powerful Muslim lobby, which has a powerful influence on the ruling front. So, there is a very urgent need to have reservation for the Hindu fishermen on the sea and coast line. Today central authorities and defence forces are also of the opinion that the patriotic fervour of our coastal residents has to be revoked and regenerated. If the existence of Hindu fish folk is weak, it will affect the security of the nation and ultimately endanger our defence preparedness. It would affect the coastal area from Kutch to Kanyakumari and from Kanyakumari to Kolkata.
Even though the ruling powers are aware of the poor financial conditions of the Hindu fishermen, they are not ready to set-up a financial package for these people. It is necessary to give fishing boats, cold storage and export facilities, etc., to this section who have no financial backing of their own. Now the fisheries sector as well as the coastal area is controlled and managed by the powerful Muslim lobby, which has the money power and ruling power. All the help extended to the fishermen is being snatched by the Muslim lobby. So, the Hindu fishermen have to assert themselves. In order to achieve this goal Hindus have to be united and powerful and at last have to attain political strength. To get political clout in the State and Centre a united effort is needed from the Hindu society, Dr Togadia added.
Here in Kerala, there seems to be a healthy trend to get all Hindus united irrespective of cast feelings. From Namboothiri to Vanvasi to fishermen every section is mutually connected owing allegiance to a common Hindu tradition from time immemorial. This bond of unity and oneness has to be regenerated, and strengthened, and it is for the well-being of both these sections as well as the society as a whole. These should be a feeling that if a Hindu in this area has a problem the whole Hindu society has to come forward to help him physically, economically and socially as well, he emphasised.
He lamented that when the brutal massacre took place in Marad Sea Cost, where eight Hindu fishermen were killed by the Muslim fundamentalists, it was only Hindu brethren who came forward for their help and all political groups became mere spectators; So, the sea and coastal area has to be freed from the clutches of Muslim groups. Otherwise, if things goes on like this within no time Kerala would become another Kashmir.
Swami Theja Swaroopananda, chairman of the reception committee, presided over the meeting and Seema Jagaranmunj Akhila Bharathiy Sahasamyojak Shri A Gopalakrishnan delivered the keynote address. Shri NP Radhakrishnan, state president of the Malsya Pravarthaka Sanghom (a cultural body of Hindu fishermen) and others also spoke on the occasion. A well attended cultural procession was held prior to the conference. On October 28, there was a delegates’ session, which was attended by delegates from all over Kerala.
(PK Sukumaran)
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