Mangaluru: In light of recent serial murders and the resulting communal tension in Mangaluru, a peace meeting was convened under the leadership of Karnataka’s Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar. The gathering included MLAs, religious leaders, and heads of various organizations, all offering insights and proposals to rebuild social harmony.
M.B. Puranik, President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Sharada Educational Institutions, stressed the importance of nurturing mutual respect among faiths from a young age. “We must not instill exclusivist pride in our children through religious teachings that promote one faith as superior and others as inferior,” he said. “Peace can only emerge if we teach in homes and schools that all religions are equal.”
He recounted personal experiences of intolerance, sharing how he faced harsh criticism from certain groups simply for attending an Iftar party, which he said left him deeply hurt. “Such divisive behavior weakens social bonds. Whether Hindu, Muslim, or Christian, peace can only exist in a society where mutual respect thrives,” he emphasized.
Puranik also highlighted the issue of noise pollution near educational institutions. Referring to Ullal, where he runs a school surrounded by religious centers, he said, “Religious sermons broadcast over loudspeakers disturb students. We must consider how our practices impact others.”
He concluded that asserting “my religion is best” breeds division. “Only when we move beyond such thinking can we hope for genuine unity.”