Casteism religion leading to mutual disbelief, hatred:Shettar

Dharmastala, Karnataka, Nov 26 (UNI) Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar today said the growing casteism and caste-based calculation in politics and other areas had become the root cause for division in the society leading to mutual disbelief and hatred.

Presiding over the 76th ''Sarva Dharma Sammelan'', as part of ''Lakshadeepotsav'' of Lord Manjunathaswamy here he said the growing castism in the society had also resulted in communal conflicts, spoiling peace in the society. The castism had taken an ugly shape, where each caste and sub-caste has its own 'swamiji' or 'Jagadguru' for which politics had played its role, he said adding that religion should not develop on the basis of caste.

He attributed that the erosion of morality in every sphere of society was the main reason for erosion of values of the life and humanity. He said mutual confidence, brotherhood among all religions and castes was needed, which could bring peace and prosperity in the society. This could be achieved through such 'sarva dharma sammelan', he added.

Commending the yeomen service rendered by Dr Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmastala and president of Sri Kshetra Dharmastala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), Mr Shettar said through rural development activities, Dr Heggade had built self-confidence and courage among the rural population and farmers. The SKDRDP had also empowered women in the undivided Daxina Kannada district and in the neighbouring districts through promotion of Self Help Groups (SHGs).

Even the state government which could not achieve the welfare of the downtrodden and poor section of society by spending crores of rupees, had been achieved by the Sri Kshetra through its effective rural development activities, he added.

Earlier, inaugurating the Sammelan, Sadguru Jagadish Vasudeva, founder of Esha Prathistan, Coimbatore cautioned that the meaning of religion was being misused today and creating unpleasantness, leading to mounting tension, restlessness and disturbances in the society. Structure of religion should be such that it should create happiness inside ourselves, he added.

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