'Was it not the duty of the people to protest against immorality'

Udupi, August 2: Pejawar Math seer Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji has raked up a controversy by urging those who are condemning the attack on young men and women in Padil “to look into the other side of the story”.

The seer, who is currently on Chathurmasa, broke his silence on thee issue, and called on all responsible people to examine the issue of the attack on the students at homestay in Mangalore in detail instead of getting carried away by it.

The seer, however, expressed his distress about the attack on the students especially the girls, and said he would condemn it. But, in a veiled defense of the hooliganism, he urged the 'many responsible people condemning the attack in the media' to see the other side of the story.

“There were reports in a section of the media that the people staying in the neighbourhood of the homestay had complained earlier about activities such as young boys and girls consuming liquor and indulging in obscene dance at the venue. The homestay business was expanding and hence it was necessary to examine the issue in detail,” he said.

He also went on to ask if it not the duty of the people to protest against immorality? Stopping short of condoning the violence, the seer said: “It was also wrong to take law into hands and indulge in hooliganism. But when the police turned a blind eye to such immoral activities, what should be done to stop it?,” he wondered. He also suggested that iInstead of indulging in hooliganism, a large number of people from the area should have launched a non-violent protest against the immoral activities.

“It was incumbent upon responsible people to create awareness on the issue. Nothing would be resolved by condemning such acts in strong. It is necessary to condemn the immoral acts in equally strong words,” he concluded.