By Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
Spearheading the mission of Sadbhavana, Er. Mohammed Salim, national vice president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, held a series of meetings and addressed concerned citizens across Karnataka. Commencing from coastal towns Ullal, Udupi, and Bhatkal, he went to Dharward, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Sindhanur, Gulbarga, Basavakalyan and Bidar.
Religious heads of Lingayat, Maratha, Dalit, Buddhist, and Christian communities and Brahma Kumari sect and several writers, journalists, academicians and social activists shared the dais and endorsed the need to foster social coherence and wellbeing.
Emphasis was laid on India’s multicultural heritage and the current threats to its unity. He upheld initiatives such as the establishment of 1,000 Sadbhavana Manch and the Dharmic Jan Morcha to promote peace and justice.
State President of JIH Karnataka, Dr. Mohammed Saad Belgami and state secretary Mohammed Kunni accompanied him.
Social activists Prasad Rai Kalimar and Diwan Keshav Bhatt shared the dais in Ullal. Welcoming the initiative of the Jamaat, they extended their wholehearted support for the cause.
In Udupi, social activist Amruth Shenoy highlighted the enduring essence of the Coastal Belt and the importance of platforms like Sahabalve (a local forum like Sadbhavan Manch) for creating awareness. Another speaker expressed concern over the polarization of youth in Udupi and Mangalore, while Sundar Mastar addressed issues like mob lynching and hate speech by politicians. He stressed the need to alleviate fear among the younger generation.
Er. Salim questioned the role of religious institutions in the social and political sphere, drawing parallels with historical examples to emphasize the importance of truth. He underlined the need for greater coordination among people and identified key areas of focus: Political, Social, and Media.
Satish Kumar Naik, the city president of Sadbhavana Manch, Bhatkal was frank enough to express his reluctance about the Manch initially but he is now satisfied that the task undertaken by the Manch is need of the hour. Our society, especially youth, should be educated about the importance of societal harmony and wellbeing, he said.
A galaxy of highly influential personalities of Belgaum shared their wishes for the success of Sadbhavana Manch. City Police Commissioner IM Marbaniang IPS, Rama Krishna Ashram head Mokshatmanada Swami, Kalimat Chennammana Kittur Swamy, Bishop Dr. Derek Farnandes, Sadsngat Gurdwara head Gyani Prabhjot Singh, and Brahmakumari Ishwariya representative Rajyogini BK Vidya were among those who spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Chennana Gowd Patil, president Sadbhavana Manch, Sindhnur was instrumental in organising the programme which was well attended by the cream of the society.
Gurunath Gadde and Arjun Kanak, the district and town presidents of Sadbhavana Manch, Basavakalyan respectively were successful in organising a big gathering of likeminded and concerned citizens in Basavakalyan. In a fully interactive session, people were hopeful of a better tomorrow.
Ganj Basaveshwar Mutt Swamy, Gulbarga, Aland Swamy, Dindgi Mutt Swamy, Father Lobo, Malkhed Dargah head Shah Mustafa Qadri and many other academicians and former bureaucrats attended the public meeting at Gulbarga.
The dignitaries who participated in Sadbhavana Manch meeting in Bijapur include Peeter Alexander, President Jal Biraradary Movement, Sreenath Pujari, Advocate, Dist. President Dalit Vidyarthi Parishad, Mutturaj Bhovi, President Slum Abhivradhi Samiti, Sheshrao Maane, Poet Dalit Sahitya, Bharatkumar, Dist. Secretary SUCI , S.Y. Walikar, Secretary Lions Senior Citizens Wing, Father Teyol Machado, Director Centre For Non Formal Education and Dr Patel, Social Worker.
At the culmination of his tour, Er. Mohammed Salim addressed a massive gathering at Bidar. Siddeshwar Mahaswamy Gudu, Basavakalyan, Channa Basavananda Swamy Gangothri Bengaluru, Shivananda Mahaswamy Gudu, Chief Qazi Bidar Hussamuddin, Bhante Dharmananda Adheeru of Buddhist Society, Brahmakumari Shilpa Didi, Gyani Darbara Singh, and other dignitaries also addressed on the occasion.
The meetings concluded with a call to action for promoting communal harmony and justice, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of purpose.
