Arya Samaj is not an illegal outfit, declares M. Lokananda

Arya Samaj is not an illegal outfit, declares M. Lokananda

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 8: Arya Samaj President M. Lokananda informed reporters on May 8 in the office of the Arya Samaj at Balmatta that he had called meetings of the executive committee on Jan 16 and Jan 21 to discuss the Arya Samaj’s land dispute with Shraddanandha Ashram.

 

 

M. Lokananda said that during the rule of the British, the English rulers gave a tough time to the Arya Samaj, in spite of which this social reform movement continued to conduct inter-caste marriages, protect helpless women, provide land for Harijans, and other work of social welfare.

During those early days, the Shraddananda Seva Samithi had been closed; and Arya Samaj had taken over its property. However, the members of the Seva Samithi were not inclined to close down the old Shraddananda Ashram, said M. Lokananda and added that the Ashram had no significant programme to take up either.

The present president of the Arya Samaj also said that the Arya Samaj was a legal body, and not an illegal outfit. Saying that no one must interfere in the current social reform and progressive activities of the Arya Samaj, he said that there are neither internal feuds nor sex discrimination in the Arya Samaj.

M. Lokananda had been accused of misappropriation of funds by K. Krishna Kamath, the then president of Arya Samaj.

Secretary Purushottam Shetty, Deputy Secretary Dharmendra, and Honorary President K. Bhavanishanker were present on the occasion.