Orissa violence blot on humanity: Gavai

Nagpur, Oct 9 (UNI) Kerala Governor R S Gavai today deplored the anti-minority violence in Orissa and described it as a 'blot on humanity.' Addressing a mammoth gathering at the 52nd Dhammachakra day celebrations here this evening, Mr Gavai said the incidents of violence in the state over the past few weeks had pained him.

''India cannot afford to be fundamentalist. There will be anarchy and the country's integrity would be threatened if religious fundamentalism is not checked,'' he said.

The Indian Constitution, framed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, was based on the principles and philosophy propagated by Lord Buddha, Mr Gavai said and added that there was, therefore, no place for fundamentalism in the country.

''It is necessary for religious walls to be eliminated if we want India to prosper and grow,'' the Kerala Governor noted.

Mr Gavai said Lord Buddha and Dr Ambedkar were both relevant even today.

''The constitution enshrined Lord Buddha's principles of social and economic justice, integrity, brotherhood, equality, fraternity and secularism'', he said adding that these were the values that the world needed today.

Reiterating that the directive principles of state policy enshrined in the statute was the basic structure of the Indian Constitution, and were, therefore, permanent, Mr Gavai said: ''If you touch it, the country will disintegrate. These cannot be changed, no matter which party has a majority in Parliament.'' It may be recalled that Dr Ambedkar had converted to Buddhism along with lakhs of followers at Deekshabhoomi here on October 14, 1956, which coincided with Dussera. Since then, the anniversary of the historic event is marked with a huge congregation of devotees at the same venue on Dussera every year.

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