Mangaluru: It was a time-tested weapon used by Mahatma Gandhi to get his political opponents come round to accepting his point of view. Taking off on the central point of swaraj propounded by the Mahatma – namely fasting – KPCC general secretary P V Mohan is all set to embark on Sadhbhavana Upavasa Satyagraha on select dates and places from October 31.This is essential to rebuild bridges burnt as a result of vitiated communal atmosphere in the district.

Mohan told  that fasting as a means of atonement has a sentimental value in Indian history and even traditions have upheld the quality of fasting for a cause. “Many organisations including District Youth Congress, DYFI approached me to undertake course of action that will shake public conscience to the fast deteriorating communal amity situation in the district,” he said, adding people from all sections of society are welcome to involve in the Satyagraha.

As planned, the Satyagraha will be held at Thokkottu in Mangaluru taluk on October 31, Sullia on November 13, Puttur on November 16, Bantwal on November 26 and Belthangady on December 6. Each of these days chosen, Mohan said have a special significance in Indian history and the day-long fast will strive to elicit public opinion on the reasons why there is this gradual yet perceptible degradation of communal amity, and disrespect to Constitutional values.

“We see a lot of assaults on individual rights and freedoms in various names and there is a general sense of constricted approach to thinking on key issues. Religious intolerance is on the rise and politics is bereft of ideology,” he said. Divisive and communal agenda abounds across the nation and the time is ripe to take such disruptive forces that divide society head on, he said, adding there is no better tool than go on a fast, a non-violent way of expressing one’s views.