BENGALURU: Amidst the rising threat of war between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Sri Ram Sena organisation conducted a special puja — a mahayaga—in the city for the wellbeing of Indian soldiers and to wish them success.
A huge idol of Parashurama with an axe was placed at the BBMP ground of the Rajajinagar Ram Mandir in Bengaluru, and Ram Bhadrakayaga, Sankalpa Yaga and Parashurama Yaga were performed for 10 hours to seek the gods’ blessings for Indian soldiers and to pray for the elimination of terrorists in Pakistan in a war.
The event drew thousands of Hindu workers, including Pejawar Math seer Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swamiji, Sri Rama Sena chief Pramod Muthalik and other Hindu leaders.
After the special homa and yaga rituals, a massive 15-foot idol of Lord Parashurama with an axe was taken out in a procession.
The Pejawar Math seer appealed to the government to take strong action against terrorists and wished for the government to be empowered to do so. “Armies will lose people from two countries due to war. Those who are bad should be identified and destroyed. This is what God Parashurama did. The government should also do it in a coordinated manner. May God give that power to the government. Today, puja was performed. May it give strength to the country and the government”, he said.
Speaking to media, Pramod Muthalik stated that the Sri Rama Sena was paying tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam attack and performing the yaga to boost the morale of Indian soldiers with courage, fortitude and strength. “Even after so many years of independence, Hindus are not safe. There are as many enemies inside the country as there are outside. There are those among us who shout slogans for Pakistan. Against this backdrop, we are performing this yaga to strengthen society and Hinduism”, he said.
Muthalik expressed concern about the safety of Hindus in India and criticized the government for allegedly appeasing Muslims. Meanwhile, Minister R B Timmapur’s comments sparked controversy, with Pramod Muthalik accusing the Congress party of indulging in Muslim appeasement and prioritising votes over national interests.
