Bharathi College illegally constructed on Arya Samaj land – Lokananda

Somehow this news item, which had been published in Mangalore Mithr and Canara Times on May 10, 2010 had escaped my notice. The following is a rewritten version. 

On May 8, 2010, the current working committee of Mangalore Arya Samaj under the leadership of President M. Lokananda Devadiga called a press conference at the Mangalore Arya Samaj building on Arya Samaj Road, Balmatta and informed reporters that Shreemadjagadguru Shankaracharya Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji has constructed Bharathi College on land that belongs to the Arya Samaj. 

Honorary President Bhavani Shankar, President Lokananda, and Joint Secretary Dharmendra

Explaining the matter further, Lokananda said that the 3-acre plot of land, located at Nanthoor Padavu, where the Balakara Sevashrama is located, belongs to Arya Samaj. The Sevashrama is a sister organization of Arya Samaj, he said and added that the land has to be returned to the Arya Samaj in case of closure of the Ashram. Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji had secured this land on lease for a period of 99 years and laid the foundation for a college in 2003, which is illegal. The then President of Arya Samaj, Shri Krishna Kamath, filed a case against the seer and the legal battle is still on, said Lokananda. 

Accusing Home Minister V. S. Acharya and MLA Yogish Bhat of supporting the seer in spite of the fact that he has constructed a college building on Arya Samaj land and has inaugurated it last month in clear violation of the law, Mr. Lokananda further said that the seer has obtained the land on lease although there is no relationship between him and Arya Samaj. He has invested Rs. 80 lakh in the college and now intends to do business there, said Mr. Lokananda, accusing the seer of conspiring to grab the land illegally. 

Mr. Lokananda also accused Krishna Kamath, the previous president of Arya Samaj, of illegally attempting to dissolve the current working committee of Mangalore Arya Samaj. Accusing MLA Yogish Bhat of being involved in pressurizing the authorities to issue orders for the dissolution of the committee, he suspects the involvement of several people who are against the activities of the Arya Samaj, whose teachings and philosophy go against the traditional principles and practices. 

Regarding the dissolution of the committee, he said that Krishna Kamath, the president of Arya Samaj from 2003 – 2007, filed a petition with the district registrar stating that the present committee should be dissolved because he was still the president of the Arya Samaj.  The district registrar did not consider the petition then. However, the district registrar issued a notice on April 21 declaring the new committee as an ad-hoc committee despite the fact that he checks accounts every year and that Arya Samaj has paid the taxes and submitted the audits in 2009. Lokananda accused the former president of forging the letter head and seal of the Arya Samaj for the purpose. 

Chief Secretary Dharmendra and Honorary President K. Bhavani Shankar were also present during the press conference. 

Sources: 

1. Mangalore Mithr

2. Canara Times 

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

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.

Honorary President Bhavani Shankar, President M. Lokananda, Deputy Secretary Dharmendra

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.

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Mangalore Arya Samaj celebrates Ambedkar Jayanthi

Mangalore Arya Samaj celebrated the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar by organizing a special programme at Arya Samaj Mandir, Mangalore, on April 14, 2010.

Ramachandra Baikampady, the president of Karnataka Fisheries Development Ltd, was the guest of honor. Shrinivas Shetty presided over the programme. Nagaraj Shetty, the president of the Coastal Authority, felicitated Sanjeeva Ballur and Keshava Mangalur.

Mr. Lokananda Arya, the president of Mangalore Arya Samaj, spoke about the "varnashrama." Nagaraj Shetty lauded Mangalore Arya Samaj for completing 92 years of age and called upon the members to protect the Arya Samaj and work for its welfare. 

Joint Secretary of Mangalore Arya Samaj conducted the progamme. Secretary Purushottam Shetty gave the welcome speech. Honorary President Bhavani Shankar was present during the programme. 

Source: Udayavani (April 18, 2010)