Mandal flays Orissa violence

CHANDIGARH, Jan 27: Former Haryana Governor Dhanik Lal Mandal has condemned the recent incidents of violence in Orissa, besides those in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Mandal said about religious conversions, it was the fault of the so-called leaders of pseudo-Hinduism and not of the missionaries. He said the missionaries had served the poor and had done social service, which was something the pseudo-Hindus should do.

Stating that narrow-mindedness had no place in the society, Mandal said leaders had to understand the social fabric of our nation. He also applauded the role of PM A.B.Vajpayee in taking a bold stand against fundamental forces.

Lamenting that religion was being mixed with politics, he also commented on the Badal-Tohra fued, stating the dispute was more for the distribution of funds than for religious reasons. He said people had also started understanding and discarding the quot;religion cardquot; of certain political parties.