Mysore/Mysuru: Dr. Byramangala Ramegowda, President of B.M. Sri. Smaraka Pratishtana, Bengaluru, has opined that the unholy alliance between religion and politics is creating turmoil in the society.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of the 2-day National-level Seminar “Jaina Dharma: Samajamukhi Chintanegalu,” jointly organised by Jaina Sahitya Samskruti Adhyayana Kendra and Sri Dharmastala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) Mahila Mahavidyalaya at SDM Women’s College Auditorium in Krishnamurthy-puram, on Tuesday last.

“Religion and politics which are supposed to discharge their duties in their respective fields independently are now conspiring to support each other for their self-interests. “Politics is surrendering to religion with the intention of getting easy votes. To propagate religion and to glorify itself, religion is seeking the support of politics. Caught between the two, common man is suffering a lot,” he said.

“Believing those who said that ache din will come if you vote for us, people voted for them. Those who came to power have completed their first term and continuing in their second term. But, those who were expecting ache din are still waiting for its arrival. If we try to question them about it, politicians are evading replies. Voters who ought to have questioned them are now in a helpless situation,” he bemoaned.

“The problems created by politics are leading to turmoil in the society. Poets, writers and intellectuals who should have spoken about the hardships of the common man are maintaining silence. We are worried about the consequences of talking against our rulers. We are in a situation where questioning those in power and criticising their policies are being viewed as an offence and those who do that are being put behind the bars,” he charged.

Stating that Poet Pampa should be remembered at times like these, Pratishtana President  said that Ranna, Janna and others who followed the footsteps of Pampa, used to criticise their kings and oppose their anti-people policies despite being  under  the shelter of the kings.

Jaina Sahitya Samskruti Adhyayana Kendra Coordinator Dr. Tarihalli Hanumanthappa, SDM Women’s College Principal Prof. Sainath Malligemadu, H. Narasimharaju and others were present on the occasion.