Mangaluru: A section of progressive thinkers and Left-wing activists who have been fighting against the practice of ‘Pankti Bedha’ (discrimination during lunch by providing separate sitting arrangements for Brahmins) in Udupi Krishna Mutt seem unhappy over the recently held ‘Udupi Chalo,’ programme as they feel there are political motives behind the event.
‘Udupi Chalo’, was organised in Udupi a week ago where activist Jignesh Mevani had raised his voice against the harassment of backward classes, Adivasis and Dalits in the country and asked people to unite and fight against this. Speaking on local issues, Jignesh had demanded that Udupi Mutt stop the practice of ‘Pankti Bedha,’ and warned of a siege of the temple.
Though all progressive thinkers agree that Pankti Bedha has to be stopped, a section of progressive thinkers feel that ‘Udupi Chalo’ was a politically inclined event. “The original aim of Udupi Chalo was good. But later it looks like it got a political flavour. Many activists who have been fighting against evils like ‘Madey Snana’ and ‘Pankti Bedha,’ were not taken into confidence. Instead the leaders preferred to take the support of a communal party like SDPI.
Some of the organisers of the event had political motives. One of the local leaders is eager to contest the next election. Some leaders also wanted to prove their leadership abilities,” a progressive thinker involved in various movements told DC.
A progressive activist who was actively involved in the fight against ‘Madey Snana,’ and ‘Pankti Bedha,’ was visibly unhappy with the Udupi Chalo programme.“The fight against ‘Pankti Bedha’ is on for several years by progressive organisations in Udupi and DK. But now the organizers of ‘Udupi Chalo’ have taken up a new issue,” he said.
Another activist too was unhappy with the attitude of the leaders. “If the organisers were really serious about change in society they should have taken into confidence all those who fought against social evils. The programme was organised like it was meant only for a community,” he added.
Meanwhile, those close to the mutt feel the event and the issue of ‘Pankti
Bedha,’ is a move to divide society. “Each devotee is served food in the form of prasadam at Udupi Krishna Mutt. There is no compulsion to serve food. Yet the Mutt serves food everyday,” says Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, DK district Kannada Sahithya Parishad president and a close aide of Pejawar Swamiji.
