‘Such issues should be addressed after curbing atrocities against Dalits'
Pejawar seer had expressed concern that conversion is a threat to Hindu religion

MYSORE: Basavananda Maadara Channaiah Swamiji of Madiga community Gurupeetha in Chitradurga said here on Wednesday that it was not the time to discuss the issue of religious conversion, when life and dignity of the Dalits was under threat from upper-caste Hindus.

He was reacting to a concern expressed by Pejawar seer Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji over the danger being posed to the “monolithic” Hindu culture and religion by religious conversion.

In a meeting with the Pejawar seer Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji at the Krishna Dhama, Basavananda swamiji clarified that the issue of conversion was not of paramount importance to Dalits when they were being hunted by upper-caste Hindus consistently. It had led to loss of trust among Dalits, he added.

When the Pejawar seer said that he was prepared to extend “Bhakti Dikshe” to the Dalits, to restrain them from converting to other religions “either by force or through enticement in view of protecting Hindu culture”, Basavananda swamiji said that Dalits had way more serious issues at hand than religion. Issues such as conversion could be addressed only after curbing the atrocities committed against them, he emphasised.

Stressing the need to protect the “ancient” Hindu religion that was “facing threat of religious conversion”, the Pejawar seer had said that his concern was to see to it that the Dalits got to lead a dignified life and to dissuade them from falling prey to religious conversion. However reacting to the observations of the Pejawar seer, the Maadiga community seer asserted that Dalit culture was as rich and ancient as any other forward community culture.

“Dalits have been denied the right to equality for centuries and have been faced physical and mental torture by upper-castes for generations. The question of protection of religion and culture comes in only after we instil confidence in them,” he noted.

When asked whether he supported Pejawar seer on the anti-cattle slaughter Bill, Basavananda Swamiji said that the Pejawar seer was of the opinion that food system was one's personal matter. Dalits should also have a similar freedom to exercise their choice of food. “It's more needed to stop killing of Dalits before speaking about cow slaughter,” he said curtly.

On whether his new initiative to visit the Dalit colonies was an attempt to stop religious conversion, Pejawar seer noted that visiting Dalit colonies was not a new thing for him. “When Dalits of Meenakshipuram converted to Islam in 1981, I visited the colonies to instil confidence in them. Now I am 80 and as a last effort to contain religious conversion, I'm trying to end untouchability and bring equality in society,” he clarified.