Will be doing injustice if I don’t protest restrictions: Ramagopalan

An active apolitical crusader for Hindu rights and state founder-convenor of Hindu Munnani, Ramagopalan who defies police restriction during Vinayaka Chathurthi procession, every year and gets arrested, argues police restriction fetters freedom.

Mr Ramagopalan who made Vinayaka Chathurthi procession almost a household affair in TN, had a humble beginning as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) at the age of 19. He launched the Hindu Munnani in 1981 and today, at 88, he is still active and guides his organisation with his experience and expertise. “We want to demonstrate to the best of our efforts to the world that the majority community is not only tolerant but also respects all religions. But despite this, we are branded as communal force,” the senior leader who survived many attempts on his life, says.

Non-Hindus are safe and secure in places where Hindus are in majority, the Hindu Munnani leader who comes under ‘Z’ category security, told Deccan Chronicle on Saturday. At the Munnani’s office at Chintadripet in the city, the senior leader in his frank chat with J.V. Siva Prasanna Kumar expresses his views on many issues. Excerpts:

Q) You have made Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations a success in the state with numerous households and temples participating in the procession in increasing numbers. Do you construe this as a big achievement ?
I am never satisfied. People of all castes and communities should take part. And there should not be any restriction in the route where the procession is taken. We will never accept any restriction as this fetters freedom. Are there any restrictions to processions being taken by Muslims or Christians? Did we create any trouble during such occasions?

Q) You are getting arrested every year?
I would rather be imprisoned than be cowed down by threats. I make a symbolic protest against the restriction imposed by police on Hindus not to take the procession on a specific route in Triplicane. I defy and go through the route. If I don’t go then people will feel that Hindus have given up. Secondly, Muslims will gain an upper hand. Whatever political parties have to say on this, India is still a Hindu country. I can’t accept that India is not a country of the Hindus. If I decide not to protest, then I will be doing injustice to the generations to be born.

Q) Does this not disturb communal amity?
I don’t consider this as prestigious. Nor should others construe this as equally prestigious. In Dindigul district, Muslims say they are prepared to garland Vinayaka and join us in the Chathurthi procession. Why not they do it in Triplicane? Muslims in Palani opposed the procession and the Hindus countered by protesting against their procession. I regret such intolerance and insecurity in our country. The authorities or government should not force anyone to be subservient to others.

Q) Your organisation, particularly its leaders and members, is often the target of violent attacks and you lost many dedicated men in the process. Ambur has always spewed violence.
Women, children and elders were threatened on social media if they participated in our protests. We did not react then… Hindus are pushed to the precipice. In Ambur, police women constables were stripped and chased away. An SC doctor who took pity on women police constables gave them dress. Who is responsible for pampering them and treating them as first class citizens? We want to demonstrate that Hindus are not only tolerant but also respect all religions. But despite our efforts, we are branded as communal force.

Q) You have been demanding temple administration be handed back to Hindus. Will this not pave way for corruption or lead to groupism?
Were there any such allegations before Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department came into being? Let the government revert to the pre-independence days and hand over the
management to the community in a particular district on experimental basis and see the difference. Granting autonomy pays.