It's wrong to equate terrorism with Muslims, says Poojary after releasing Coastal Mirror Dasara special

Mangalore, October 5: In a unique gesture of harmony and goodwill, the Shri Kshethra Gokarnanatheshwara, where the internationally renowned Navaratri festival is under way, played host to the release of Dasara special edition of the Coastal Mirror.

The architect of the Gokarnanethaswhara temple, B. Janardhana Poojary released the magazine at a glittering function at the Santoshi Kala Bhavana on the temple premises on the eve of Mahanavami, and heaped encomiums on the editor of the magazine for upholding the true spirit of Indian secularism.

In his short but passionate speech the senior politician lashed out at people who try to portray Muslims as terrorists. “There is lot of talk about Muslims being involved in anti-national activities. There is also a sustained effort going on to picture them as terrorists. But here is an editor, who hails from a minority community, who has brought out a special edition on Dasra including Kudroli temple. This is in fact the symbol of India’s secularism,” he said.

“Terrorists do not belong to any religion and it is wrong to equate acts of terror with the people of one particular religion. There are terrorists among people of every communities. But it is the duty of all right-thinking people encourage efforts being made to improve harmony between different communities,” he said.

“When the editor of Coastal Mirror Mohammed Ashraf approached me with the request I was taken aback. I asked them the reason for their eagerness to release the edition on the temple premises. They could not give any convincing answer. But I could figure out that they are driven by a noble intention of promoting communal harmony. This being the case, it was my duty to respond. I extended them a wholehearted welcome,” Mr. Poojary said.

He urged the audience to encourage the magazine, which he said was the only multi-colour English magazine being published from Mangalore “A 28-year-old editor has exhibited exemplary spirit of communal harmony and social responsibility by bringing out the edition,” he said.

Mr. Poojary then honoured the editor of Coastal Mirror with a shawl. Nina Rai, the writer of Coastal Mirror, was also present on the dais.

Vijaya Bank ex-chairman Sadananda Shetty, MLA Abhayachandra Jain, retired ACP GA Bawa, Harikrishna Bantwal, Congress leader Mohammed Badruddin, Kudroli temple administrative board President H S Sairam, Raghavendra Kulur, vice-president, Padmaraj, treasurer, B.K. Tharanath, Maheshchandr, Ravishankar Mijar, trustees, among others, were present. Development committee member Harikrishna Bantwal compered the programme.