Mangaluru : Members of Sri Rama Sene, Akhila Bharata Hindu Maha Sabha and Hindu Jana Jagruthi Samiti condemned Pejawar Mutt seer Sri Vishweshatheertha Swami’s move to host an Iftar lunch for Muslims at Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt on Eid -Ul-Fitr.

The protesters who gathered at Lalbagh Circle on Sunday, simultaneous to the statewide protests by Hindu outfits, said that the Swami has pained the sentiments of Hindus by hosting an Iftar meet in the Udupi Mutt, for those who consume beef. This is an insult to Hindus and, therefore, the Pejawar seer has to apologise to Hindus, they demanded.

Hindu Mahasabha state spokesperson Dharmendra said that the protesters have huge respect for Udupi Mutt. “But the gesture of the Pejawar Swami has come as a shock to the Hindus. The seer has become a victim of political conspiracy. As the elections are nearing, the BJP seems to have manipulated the Swami’s thoughts so as to appease the minority,” he said.

Dharmendra, meanwhile, raised an objection to the Pejawar seer’s earlier statement that Muslims have donated land to Krishna Mutt. “The donation should not have any connection to Swami hosting the Iftar. If the Swami is not able to follow the code of conduct of the Sri Krishna Mutt, he should appoint a successor designate,” he said. He further questioned why the Pejawar seer was not opposing the act of conversion of a Hindu family to Islam in Kaup.

Sri Ram Sene district committee secretary Prasad Poojary asked the intention behind the Pejawar seer’s move to host the Iftar party separately at the Mutt. People from any religion can enter the Krishna Mutt and have the glimpse of the presiding deity and take prasadam. The seer, however, has invited those to the Iftar party who does not believe in idol worship, he argued.

Hindu Janajagruthi Samiti leader Chandra Mogera also spoke. The protesters raised pro-Hindu slogans and displayed placards against the move of the seer. They urged to purify the Mutt premises.