Mangaluru, August 12: Prof Bhagawan, a critic as well as a writer had earlier made controversial remarks on Bhagavad Gita and aspects of Hinduism. He has once again made explosive remarks on Wednesday August 12th against Hindu gods and epics, stating that Mahabharata and Ramayana depicted a form of ‘suppression’ and led to cruelty in society.
Prof Bhagawan arrived to the city on Wednesday, August 12th to address the media on the recent case of Sunder Malekudiya- a Dalit whose fingers were allegedly cut off by his landlord in Neriya of Beltangady taluk.
The press meet raised fury among pro-Hindu activists. They arrived at the venue and began protesting against his controversial remarks on Hinduism. The protesters were soon arrested.
Speaking at the press meet, Prof Bhagawan said, Mangaluru has well educated, cultured people, and also forests. There are also cruel people here who try to suppress the downtrodden classes, and one such instant is the case of Sunder Malekudiya, a Dalit whose fingers were chopped off by his landlord. It was an inhumane act, he said.
Speaking about the Hindu gods and epics, he said, Krishna and Rama are sinners. The Mahabharata and Ramayana are not religious epics, but books of sins, as they depict suppression of women and backward classes. The Indian Constitution is the only true book of India. In Ramayana, there is an instance where Rama murders Shambuka, a Shudra, and he also abandons his wife Sita. Krishna is also a sinner who had married 16,000 women. How can you call such personalities as gods?, he queried.
Prof Bhagawan also urged that government award compensation of Rs 20 to Sunder Malekudiya.
K S Shivaram, state president of Karnataka backward classes awareness forum, condemned the atrocity that took place against Sunder Malekudiya and said, even though such a shocking incident has occurred; the government has not yet initiated any action and we condemn this. If this had happened to a person from a minority community, it would have become a national issue. A special representative should be appointed to monitor Sunder Malekudiya’s case. It is sad that even today the landlords suppress the working class. We want equality for all classes in society, said K S Shivaram.
The protestors arrived at the spot and shouted slogans and tried to disturb the press meet.
The Barke police rushed at the spot and arrested nine activists.
