Intolerance VS Pluralism

On 19 May 2019 CSIS organised a webinar titled Intolerance VS Pluralism. The programme was in context of  a honourable Madras High Court verdict regarding the rights of Hindus to conduct religious processions freely in V.Kalathur village in Permbalur district, Tamil Nadu. In a landmark judgement, a Division Bench of the High Court declared that “..a religious group In majority can’t resist other community’s fundamental right to hold religious processions, and festivals”

Justice V Chithambaresh (Rtd) High Court of Kerala, Advocate G Karthikayan, former assistant solicitor general of India at High Court of Madras, Prof. K G Suresh, Vice Chancellor, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National university for Journalism and Communication, Bhopal addressed webinar. 192 people participated in the programme.

Intolerance VS Pluralism – Part1

Intolerance VS Pluralism – Part2

Intolerance VS Pluralism – Part3

Speaker’s:  Sri V Chitambaresh, Hon’ble Retired Judge of Kerala High Court

Professor K.G. Suresh, Vice Chancellor, National University of Journalism, Bhopal

Sri G Karthikeyan, Former Assistant Solicitor General of India, Madras High Court

Speech Highlights:

Sri V Chitambaresh, Hon’ble Retired Judge of Kerala High Court:

• As per Indian Constitution, all citizen of India have the right to assemble peacefully; can move freely throughout our country.
• The practice of religious procession in our country exists for thousands of years. Our law recognises it.
• Madras High Court granted the petitioner to conduct the procession.
• Every citizen has the right to conduct the procession, without affecting others.
• As per Indian Constitution Article 25 (1) – All citizens have equal rights to practice their religion.
• Procession in public places during festival seasons was common in our country.
• Hindus believe in “Vasudaiva Kutumbam”, accepts Muslim or Christian procession in their living places.

Professor K.G. Suresh, Vice Chancellor, National University of Journalism, Bhopal:

• I always wake up with Vedic mantra chanting around my house, but now, couldn’t hear it.
• In olden days, house built in such a way, its shadow not to fall on the temple, but now-a-days, multi-storeyed buildings are built around the temple.
• These people should understand the meaning of intolerance.
• During my college days, my friend refused to accept the temple Prasadam, as it was against his religion, then I realised the religious difference seen by persons of other religions towards us.
• In west Bengal, many women were molested, physically assaulted, even though parties like communist, congress raised their voice against it, no one has been punished, so far.
• Society needs to wake up, to overcome the narrow mindset.

Sri G Karthikeyan, Former Assistant Solicitor General of India, Madras High Court:

• Tamilnadu is a Punyabhumi that produced many Alwars, Nayanmars and many saints.
• Temples in Tamilnadu was a structural marvel, Rajendra Cholan was the first emperor in the history to conquer outside our country.
• Tamil literature book “Tholkappiyam” published even before 2000 years.
• Like Malapuram in Kerala, Hindu Population was minority in some of the places like Adhiramapattinam in Tiruvarur district, Melapalayam in Tirunelveli district, Ukkadam in Coimbatore district, Ambur, Vaniyambadi in Vellore district. Only Muslims can reside there.
• In coastal places like Kanniyakumari, Christian dominant was more. Vinayagar procession was not allowed in their locality during the festival time.
• On the particular month, there will be celebrations for many days in the Mariamman temple. During those days, processions took place in V Kalathur village. It was the common practice for the past 400 years, till 2015.
• Suddenly a Muslim filed petition in the Court, demanding to stop the procession of Amman chariot, as there was a mosque in that particular street. The case was dismissed.
• On 2018, suddenly an officer through DSP shortened the procession for once in a day. In the court, a single judge asked to settle the case through compromise.
• Muslims claimed sprinkling of Turmeric water in the ground was “haram” to them, as there were no Hindus residing in the street, procession should not be conducted.
• Judge in their verdict said as, “People have religion but roads don’t have any religion”.
• Only in our country, secularism means Muslim appeasement.