Mangaluru : Vishwa Hindu Parishat, in association with Bajranga Dal will organise Hindu Samajotsava at Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru on March 1. Swarna Mahotsava Samiti, Hindu Samajotsava Samitis have been formed for the event and more than one lakh people are expected to gather.

Briefing reporters, at Sanghaniketana here, on Thursday, Hindu Samajotsava Samiti Honorary President Karavali Group of Colleges President Ganesh Rao said the event would begin with a procession from Ambedkar circle to Central Maidan on March 1 at 2.30 pm. Sadwi Balika Saraswati Mishra of Madhya Pradesh will deliver the keynote address. Dignitaries from the community, seers, heads of various organisations and general public would participate, he said.

VHP Regional Working President M B Puranik said that without a barrier of caste, creed or party, everyone should participate in the Hindu Samajotsva to show unity. “Hindus should not be considered as second-degree citizens in their own country. Our intention is to create awareness about patriotism, religion, culture and language among people. It is also a forum to discuss problems. Our message for other communities is brotherhood. They can also participate in the event,” he said.

“There is a section of people who call us communal organisations. They should know that our patience is not our weakness. This convention is not to provoke anyone and neither for appeasement. For speakers there will be certain guidelines, however, at the end of the day, they will have the freedom of speech and expression,” he said.

Karavali Group of Colleges President Ganesh Rao and Shastavu Bhootanatheshwara Temple Trust President Vijay Vittalanath Shetty, who were identified themselves with Congress, have been appointed as honourable president and president of the Hindu Samajotsava Samiti respectively. For a question on Hindu nation agenda of RSS, Ganesh Rao said that everyone who follows the democracy and law of the nation and respects the national flag is a Hindu. “We will organise the event within legal and constitutional framework,” he said.

Vijay Vittalanath Shetty said that his works are related to Hindutwa. “For me Hindutwa is first and party comes next. Though I am in Congress, VHP leaders approached me and being a Hindu, I am proud to participate in this event,” he said and claimed that he is still a secular.

Committee Working President Jagadeep Suvarna, General Secretary Jitendra S Kottari, Bajaranga Dal leader and Samajotsava Convenor Sharan Pumpwell were present among others.