Saraswathi Samman awardee opens office to mobilise funds for construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya

Mysore/Mysuru: Noted Kannada novelist and Saraswathi Samman awardee Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa inaugurated “Sri Rama Mandira Nirmana Nidhi Samarpana Abhiyaan Karyalaya (office to mobilise funds for construction of Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya) at RSS Office ‘Madhava Krupa’ on Sunday evening. He released booklets, receipt books and coupons for fund collection drive. The event was organised by Sri Ramajanmabhoomi Theerthakshetra Trust. 

Addressing the gathering, the novelist said that religious fights will not occur if everyone accepts truth and facts. “Conflicts take place only when truth is challenged by vested interests. All religions have their own way of describing truth and if one does not accept truth, conflicts arise,” he said. 

“Hinduism right from its beginning, from Vedic times, was a liberal movement. Hinduism is not a religion founded by dogma. There is diversity in Hinduism and it accepts all other religions. We analyse Hindu Gods and Goddesses and even criticise their actions and these are quite open in Hinduism but not in other religions. If you criticise the Gods of other faiths, the followers of other religions will take strong objection,” he said. 

He wished that the Ram Temple that is being built at Ayodhya should be a place of spiritual learning. “Contribution in any form to this temple of learning is valuable. It is not enough if you just contribute money. You must know the background of the Temple and about Lord Ram,” he added. 

Law against cow slaughter 

Defending the proposed law against cow slaughter in Karnataka, Dr. Bhyrappa said that cow symbolised non­-violence. “We share a mother and child relationship with the cow and each one of us grew up consuming cow’s milk. As children do not renounce their mother when she becomes old, we do not slaughter a cow when it is incapable of giving birth to calves and yielding milk,” he said. 

Not only milk, there are other benefits as the animal produces dung which is a fertiliser. “If a farmer uses chemical fertilisers in agriculture, there is a chance of us suffering from cancer. Farmers should instead use cow dung. People who criticise the anti-cow slaughter law lack basic knowledge about farming but are floating various theories and dogmas to oppose the law,” he said. 

Farm legislation 

On the opposition to the farm legislation passed by the Centre, Dr. Bhyrappa said the protests in Delhi were by farmers from Punjab alone and was not representative of the views of all the farmers across the country. “The new laws empower farmers to sell their produce to anyone who made a better offer, instead of selling it at APMC yards,” he said. 

Farmers can sell their produce within the State or anywhere else in the country and there will be no restriction on this type of trade. This will benefit the farmers that they will be able to sell their produce to the merchant wherever they get a higher price, Dr. Bhyrappa explained. 

The novelist suspected that Congress and Communists were instigating the farmers to oppose the laws that are actually beneficial to them.  “There are political parties that are unable to digest the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hence they are instigating the farmers,” he added. 

Sri Ramajanmabhoomi Theerthakshetra Trust State President M. Venkataram, who is also Karnataka South Region Executive Member of the RSS, Mysuru Region Sangh Chalak Dr. Vaman Rao Bapat, K.P. Pradyumna and Krishnaprasad were present.