Spreading message of harmony is responsibility of everyone, not just one religion: Dr N Vinaya Hegde
NITTE University, Yenepoya University, Mangalore Diocese Bishop organise Iftaar get-together
Mangaluru: Nitte (Deemed to be University) and Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) hosted an Iftaar get-together on Friday at the Nitte University campus in Mangaluru to promote harmony among different religions. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Dr. N Vinaya Hegde, Chancellor of Nitte University, Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, Chancellor of Yenepoya University, and Most Reverend Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese.
Dr. Hegde emphasized that spreading the message of harmony is the responsibility of everyone, not just one religion. He also noted the importance of such events in promoting brotherhood in society.
“The Ullal-Deralakatte-Konaje region has progressed greatly in the field of education. Thousands of education aspirants from several countries are studying in institutions in the region,” said the Nitte University Chancellor and added, “The image of Mangaluru has been tainted due to certain undesired incidents. Organizing a program on university campuses is an attempt from our side to spread the important message of brotherhood in society.” He said.
Justice N Santhosh Hegde, former Lokayukta and retired judge of the Supreme Court, stated that fasting during Ramzan is not only good for the body but for society as a whole. He also emphasized the need to respect each other's religions and conduct more events like the Iftar party to promote unity.
"It is natural for each person to respect his or her religion the most, but none should develop an attitude of one’s religion is the greatest. The importance of conducting events like the Iftar party only rises, in an effort to subdue such differentiation in society." Justice Hegde said.
Most Reverend Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha highlighted the importance of brotherhood in every religion and how events like Iftar can help people understand and respect the sacrifice, tolerance, and self-control of Muslims during Ramzan fasting. "Ridding the world of hatred requires us to join together like this, in such programs, more often," the Bishop added.
“We are living in times where conflict and violence are on the rise. Muslims have a great social responsibility, under such circumstances. We need to spread the message of harmony by following the conventions of Islam,” Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi said in his address.
Maulana Abdul Aziz Darimi added that the Iftar party was not just a ritual but an opportunity to help the mind and heart grow. Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi also stressed the importance of hunger and how the Ramzan fast teaches people its value.
Vice-chancellor of Mangalore University Dr. BS Yadapadithaya, MLC Harish Kumar, former MLC Ivan D’Souza, Dr. Naveenchandra Bhandary, Dr. Shantharam Shetty, Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Dr. Amir Ali, Dr. UT Ifthikar Ali, Prof. Chinnappa Gowda, Dr. Yenepoya Farhad, Dr. Mohan Alva, Dr. Vishal Hegde, Dr. Twaheer, Dr. CP Habeeburrahman, Kanachur Monu, Abdul Nasir Luckystar, Ullal Dargah head BG Haneef Haji, former Mayor K Ashraf, Dr. Abdul Rashid Zaini Kamil, Aboobakar Siddiq Montugoli, Haji Ibrahim Kodijal, Haider Parthipady, Shashidhar Hegde, Ravindra Shetty Ulidottu, SM Rashid Haji, Mansoor Ahmed Azad, and Rohan Monteiro were among the dignitaries who attended the Iftar party.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Centre spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print media ads for RSS centenary, reveals RTI
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Culture allegedly spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print advertisements marking the 100-year celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to a Right to Information (RTI) reply.
The information was sought by RTI activist Ajay Basudev Bose, who filed an application seeking details on expenditure incurred by the ministry for advertisements commemorating the RSS centenary.
Bose shared a picture of the reply from the ministry on his official ‘X’ handle.
“It is informed that an amount of Rs 76,13,129 has been spent on advertisement given in various print media by the Ministry of Culture on the occasion of the completion of 100 years of RSS,” the government’s reply stated.
RTI reply shows Min of Culture Govt of India spent a Whopping Rs 76L,13K,129 on Advertisement in Print Media on occasion of 100 yrs of #RSS
— AJAY Basudev Bose (@AjayBos93388306) April 16, 2026
When Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??@RSSorg… pic.twitter.com/dW4IUtdNCg
Bose questioned the expenditure in the post X, “when Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??”
Reacting to the development, Karnataka’s IT-BT and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge also criticised the spending.
In a post on X, he asked why public money was being used for what he described as a “private ideological project.”
"Modi Sarkar spent Rs 76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS. Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to celebrate their centenary?," he added.
Why is public money being used to serve a private ideological project?
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) April 16, 2026
Modi Sarkar spent ₹76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS.
Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to… pic.twitter.com/EoZ6Pim3IM
According to reports, the RSS describes itself as a volunteer-based organisation and has stated that it functions as a body of individuals rather than a registered entity.
Founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in 1925, the organisation is marking its centenary year beginning from Vijaydashami in 2025, with the milestone observed on October 2.
