Jati mukta sambandha Vedike organizes meeting at Udupi

Jati mukta sambandha Vedike organizes meeting at Udupi

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, July 17, 2012 : A meeting of those interested in establishing  cordial, human relationships with others regardless of the community, caste or the system of worship was held at Udupi on July 15, under the auspices of Jati Mukta Sambhandha Vedike, Udupi. It was an effort by Dr.Shantaram Somayaji, Prof. Hayavadana Shagri, Sri Balakrishna Parkala,Ms.Suma Robert and others who by themselves had married out of the community into which they were born. At a time when Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are getting polarized on caste and communal lines, where even friendships between those belonging to different systems of worship are frowned upon, where marriages between such are considered as criminal a need for such a movement is very much felt.

 

 

In this gathering there were about 80 people some of whom had married intercaste, inter religion and son, there were those who wanted to establish marital relationships with the person of their choice without bothering about such things. Some were the supporters of such causes and had attended to extend their support to such relationships. Among those present were students, lecturers, a retired district Health officer Dr.Vanajakshi, Mr. Cyril Mathais, the president of the District minority cell a number of academicians, civil right activists, youth leaders and such. A couple from Palakkad Kerala Shasi and Kathija also attended. It was a gathering with people born in families from various castes, religious beliefs or without any, languages and tastes- the common factor was that they would not want any barriers between them and the persons with whom they wanted to establish relationships with- whether be marital, friendship or any other.

Prof. Hayavadana spoke about the purpose of organizing the meet. He said that in the society when barriers are being erected among human beings in the names of various systems of belief and the castes into one were born there was the need for a support system for those who wanted to come out of them. Dr.Shantharama Somayaji dwelt at length on his efforts to organize such a set up and also proposed a tentative list of goals and a pledge for those who wished to join. Prof. Phaniraj proposed the ideological basis for the organization. Shasi from Kerala spoke about the difficulties he and Khatija had to face because of the opposition from Kathijas family who were orthodox Muslims. Kathija mentioned the difficulties she had to face and that she had been a devout follower of Islam until she fell in love with Shasi who was already a rationalist and an active member of Kerala Yuktivadi Sangham. 

They also dwelt at length on the battle they had to undergo with the administration of the school where they had admitted their children because of their insistence on noting no caste and religion in the respective columns for their children’s school records. As for children there were quite a few of them products of such marriages and were happily playing around as it was a family gathering with fun and games for the children too. A resolution was adopted for organizing a state level meet at Udupi on the 12th of August. Narendra Nayak the President of Federation of Indian Rationalist Association spoke on how such marriages had been supported by the various rationalist organisations , all over the country and the humanist movement elsewhere too. He also explained that Humanism was a life stance accepted as such in many countries and there were ceremonies for the various mile stones in life like marriage, christening, confirmation, funerals etc. without the need to invoke any supernatural being or force. He also requested them to join FIRA to build up a strong movement for the development of scientific temper.

In the Districts of Udupi and Dakashina Kannada where even a casual conversation with a person belonging to some other community can invite the wrath of communal organizations there is a great need for the breakdown of such barriers and the establish a society which is more humanistic, secular and egalitarian.