Sant Sammelan in Chennai
“OURS is a spiritual country. The real identity is the essence of our spirituality within. The new model of social life is of western culture which has been thrust upon us by the Britishers,” said VHP patron Shri Ashok Singhal while addressing a gathering of saints and prominent Hindu leaders in Chennai on January 5. Kanchi Shankaracharya Swami Jayendra Saraswati presided over the Sammelan. VHP president Shri Ragava Reddy was also present. Five major resolutions on ‘No Masjid will be allowed in temple city of Ayodhya’, to enact anti-conversion laws’, ‘to put an end to caste conflicts’, ‘Prohibition of cow slaughter’, ‘protect the sacredness of the holy river’ were passed.
Shri Singhal warned that there is a game plan to declare the Ganga as a dead river. He further questioned that out of 17 crore cows at the time of Independence in 1947, only 8 crore are there today. Cow is sacred and essential for the growth of agriculture. Speaking to reporters after the congregation, Shri Singhal said this year around 10 crore devotees are expected to participate in the upcoming Kumbh. Buddhist monks and Sikh saints including the Dalai Lama had given their consent to participate in the congregation. He said some big decisions are expected to be taken at Kumbh.
Answering the questions on life-style being followed by some people today, Shri Singhal blamed the western model of lifestyle for growing incidents of sexual assaults on women. He termed as “alarming” the western model of living, which he said had been imbibed from the US. “What is happening is we have imbibed the US. We have lost all the values we had in cities.”
Shri Singhal addressed a gathering on ‘Challenges before the resurgent Hindu Society’. He dealt upon the dangers of divided Hindus. Common civil code which is not followed by the Muslims thereby increasing the population from 9.33% to 18% is a threat to society. He further said that the congregation of saints raised their voices to Hindus not to follow the Common Civil code of limiting with two children. He also cautioned about the danger of declaring Ganga as a dead river in Delhi.
Sri RBVS Manian gave an introductory speech and explained the activities carried on by the VHP and how the dream of Swami Vivekananda to have Hindu organisation came to existence by forming VHP. Sri Raghav Reddy insisted on that we should have a united Hindu and not divided Hindu. Pejawar Swami Shri Vishveshwara Teerth Maharaj cautioned the dangers of conversion, terrorism and the government standards in dealing with Hindus. He emphasised that Sangh Sakti Kaloyuge.
In the conference on January 6, the VHP passed five resolutions on different issues. Swamy Dayananda Saraswati, Shri Ashok Singhal, Shri Ragava Reddy, Shri Ashok Rao Chowgule, international working president (Overseas), Shri Champathrai, international general secretary, VHP, Shri S Gopalarathnam, central joint secretary, Shri Era Meyappan, state president, Shri Su Srinivasan, state secretary, Shri RBVS Manian, vice president, Shri C Kanakarajan, vice president, Padmashri Krishnakumar Warriar, Shri V. Mylsamy, Shri Praful H Sejpal, Patrons, VHP Dakshin Tamil Nadu also participated in the function.
In a resolution the saints said no mosque would be allowed to come up in Ayodhya. “It is learnt that the Government is planning to allocate land near the site of Ram Janmabhoomi and the city of Ayodhya to construct a masjid. This congregation of saints of Tamil Nadu makes a fervent appeal to the Central Government to hand over the entire site to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust to facilitate the creation of a grand Shri Ram Temple at the holy place of birth of Shri Ramlala. The congregation of saints further demands the Government should not allow any construction of mosque or any structure for worship of other religions in the sauda ghosh parikarama. The congregation of saints and sadhus of T.N. strongly insists that the Government should not permit construction of any place of worship of any other religion that will disturb the social harmony prevailing in Ayodhya,” the resolution said.
In another resolution the saints demanded complete prohibition on cow slaughter. They also demanded a ban on religious conversions. “Religious conversions are increasing day-by-day in Tamil Nadu. Several Christians denominations are converting by deceit innocent Hindus. The congregation demands the government of Tamil Nadu to enact stringent laws to prevent forceful conversions. The congregation calls forth Hindus to be alert so as to prevent conversions in their neighborhood. It requests the government enact laws to empower the local public to prevent illegal conversions. To prevent religious conversion the congregation requests the saints & sadhus in Tamil Nadu to promote and propagate Hindu religion among the Hindus,” the resolution said.
In a resolution the saints stressed the need to put an end to caste conflicts. “Attempts are being made by leaders of various religions to harvest all benefits by creating a wedge among different castes of Hindu society. Without realizing this sinister design the Hindus are getting themselves involved in conflicts among various castes for trivial reasons. Recently, inter-caste marriages by certain individuals are projected as caste issues leading to conflicts among such castes. In such circumstances boys are being raised by certain caste leaders both vocalic and in writing supporting compulsory inter-caste marriages. The only solution to avoid such conflicts amongst Hindus is creating the feeling of brotherhood amongst all. Further we should strive for a congenial harmonist Hindu society devoid of caste conflicts and various differences. This congregation appeals to the saints to tour in their own places and propagate the need for brotherhood amongst Hindu society,” the resolution said.
In another resolution the Sammelan appealed to both the state and central governments to take the required steps to protect the sacredness of the holy rivers. “Already under the leader ship of saints many attempts have been made to protect the river Ganga. Similarly to protect river Cauvery, the saints are undertaking yatras of awareness during the last two years. It is also to be noted that the common man is also taking an active part in yatras and is raising his voice for protection of holy river Cauvery. This congregation earnestly appeals to central and state governments to listen to the demand of saints and general public and take suitable action for the protection of holy rivers,” the resolution added.
