Stop portraying Ravana as demon, says IPS officer

Seminar on ‘Preamble of the Constitution’

Mysuru: Claiming that there were many people in the country who worship Ravana, senior IPS officer Nanjundaswamy has called upon those who portray Ravana as a demon, to change their mindset.

He was speaking after inaugurating a seminar on ‘Preamble of the Constitution’ organised by Bharatha Moola Nivasigala Trust, in commemoration of Danava Chakravarthi, at Town Hall in city recently.

Maintaining that there were Ravana Temples across the country and many people worship Ravana, Nanjundaswamy demanded a ban on ‘Ravana Dahana’ and such other acts that were against Ravana. Pointing out that there were 40 lakh people in the State who worship Ravana, he said that Sri Ravaleshwara Temple at Choladahalli village in Malavalli taluk is one among many Ravana Temples in the State.

Noting that Ravana idol will be taken out in a Pallakki procession during Hasanamba Festival at Hassan, which is an indication that Ravana is a deity, Nanjundaswamy said, there were many such instances across the country, where Ravana was worshipped.

Stating that Dalit communities should try to understand their glorious past, he stressed on the need for Dalits to realise that Hoysalas, Pallavas, Satavahanas had all left behind a Dalit legacy, which should be taken forward now.

Writer H.S. Ramachandregowda, in his address, said that the original ‘Ramayana’ was based on the story that Rama had evicted local people.

Claiming that Saints and Munis spied for Rama, he said that eviction of native land owners was the essence of ‘Ramayana.’

Denouncing Varnashrama Dharma, he said that this mindset has destroyed the culture of our land and there is an urgent need to change this mindset.

The Preamble of the Constitution was read out on the occasion.

Bengaluru Mahabodhi Mission’s Bhante Buddhaprakasha graced the occasion.

Urilinga Peddi Mutt’s Jnanaprakasha Swamiji, former Mayor Purushotham, former MLC K.C. Puttasiddashetty, writers Krishnamurthy Chamaram and Siddaswamy, DSS leader Hariharanandaswamy, leaders G.M. Gadkar & Dyavappa Nayaka were present.