http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-3252597/He-named-Shaitan-Sri-Rama-Sene-founder-brands-Karnataka-writer-Bhagwan-devil.html
'He should be named Shaitan': Sri Rama Sene founder brands Karnataka writer Bhagwan a devil
By Mail Today Bureau
Published: 22:13 GMT, 28 September 2015
Prof KS Bhagwan was abused for his comments on the Hindu gods
The ongoing tussle between rationalists and Hindu groups is taking an ugly turn in Karnataka, with the Sri Rama Sene founder Pramod Muthalik terming award-winning writer Prof KS Bhagwan as shaitan (devil).
“It is such an irony that somebody with the name Bhagwan is deriding Hindu gods. He should be named as Shaitan (devil). I am appalled with the soft stand of the government towards him. He continues to insult Hindu gods and hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus,” alleged Muthalik, whose followers have also filed complaints against Bhagwan.
Muthalik’s comments came hours after Bhagwan held Lord Rama and Krishna, along with saints Sankaracharya and Madhwacharya, responsible for caste-based discrimination in the society and claimed that Lord Rama had oppressed women during his reign.
“I don’t understand why people want Ram rajya. He was against equal rights for women. He drove his wife to forest without giving her any rights. He discriminated against women and Dalits… I am not saying these because there are such direct references to Rama in Ramayana,” he told a gathering in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Bhagwan did not spare even south Indian saints Sankaracharya and Madhwacharya, who are also worshiped as gods.
“These acharyas created a separate identity for the priestly class by promoting them. According to them, non-Brahmins were not eligible to study the Vedas. Is it not discrimination? Why were Dalits and other non-Brahmins prevented from acquiring education and knowledge? These are stark realities, which no one dares to question,” he contended.
His latest comments drew sharp criticism from the Hindu groups, leaders of the BJP and the RSS.
One of the powerful religious gurus of Karnataka, Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt, who also happens to be the key architect of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, termed Bhagwan ‘ignorant’.
“He is taking sections of Ramayana out of context and issuing controversial statements. He has not studied Ramayana properly. I invite him to an open debate on the topic,” he said.
BJP legislator G Madhusudan, who comes from the RSS background, demanded immediate action against Bhagwan.
“No writer would get away by insulting gods of other religions. Why is the government quiet when it comes to taking action against Bhagwan? It is clear that the government is playing to the gallery,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police have registered multiple cases under different sections of the law against Bhagwan, who has vowed to fight it.
“I am more than willing to fight these cases legally. Let them file more complaints against me, the truth will never change,” he said.
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