With the news of Popular Islamic preacher, Dr Zakir Naik is all set to speak in Mangalore on January 3, 2016, the Bajrang Dal has urged the Karnataka state government to ban the entry of Islamic preacher instead of banning astrology programmes being aired on television channels.
The popular Indian preacher has lectured on Islam and comparative religions all around the world. He was ranked 62 in the list of the ‘500 Most Influential Muslims in the World’ published by George Washington University in the year 2011 and 2012.
It is to be noted that he Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka has proposed a total ban on astrology related content on Kannada TV channels. The move is aimed at tackling superstition being propagated by astrologers on TV.
Bajrang Dal Convener Sharan Pumpwell said that Vishwa Hindu Parishat International Working President Pravin Togadia will visit Mangaluru on January 6. “State government’s decision to ban astrology programmes on television channels was totally undemocratic and will hurt the religious
Sentiments of Hindus”, he said.
He said that nationalist leaders like Dr Pravin Togadia and Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat were not permitted to address gatherings in Bengaluru and Sakleshpura and questioned how the Karnataka government was allowing the visit of Islamist Naik.