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Udupi, Nov. 22: In a condolence meeting organized by the Udupi District Muslim Union at Mount Rosary Millennium Hall, Santhekatte, Kallianpur on Wednesday, thousands of people of all faiths who gathered for the lives of victims of cruelty in Nejar condemned the murder of humanity.

In the same meeting, thousands of people presented various forms as witnesses and it was decided to submit them to the State Home Minister G. Parameshwar. It was demanded that the accused in the case should be thoroughly interrogated and others who may have been involved or abetted in the act should be arrested and prosecuted.

The state government should appoint a special public prosecutor in this case. A special court should be set up to ensure speedy trial and conviction of the accused. The government should take appropriate action to prevent the media from slandering and psychologically harassing the victim’s family by publishing conjectures and fabricated reports.

As a precautionary measure to prevent such acts of terror from happening in the future, CCTV should be installed in the strategic areas of Udupi district. Hate speech that inspires such heinous crimes should be curbed immediately. A demand was raised in the meeting that immediate legal action should be taken and severe punishment should be given to the instigators of violence who call for keeping weapons in homes.

President of Udupi District Muslim Union Yaseen Malpe delivered the keynote speech and said that I am very proud of Udupi district. But Hindus and Christians here have not seen those who lost their lives in this incident through the lens of any caste religion. They also saw us as human beings. There is nothing higher than humanity in this world. He said that he got to see us today in Udupi.

On that day, the Hindus of that area were sad, not celebrating Diwali and not bursting firecrackers. Rickshaw driver Shyam unhesitatingly tipped off the accused and helped the police. Mahabala Gholhar arranged drinking water for those who came for the funeral. Rosary Church arranged a hall free of cost for this condolence meeting today. This is the true religion. He said that it is religion to feel pain in the pain of others, not to inflict pain on others.

The temperance and restraint shown by the Muslim community of the district when such a terrible incident took place is an example to the whole world. Keeping this idea in mind, they have not done anything to spread communal hatred in the society. Only some media acted prejudiced in this matter. This is very reprehensible.

Rev Fr Roque D’Souza, Parish Priest of Kallianpur Mount Rosary Church said, "This is not just one family’s grief. It is the pain of the whole society. Something that should not have happened, happened to us. However, he said that Muslims set an example for the entire society by acting in a calm manner without losing their temper in any way”.

Former minister Vinaya Kumar Sorake, Noor Muhammad of the victim’s family, Udyavara Nagesh Kumar, MA Ghafoor, Ashraf Kodibengre, Mahabala Gholhar, eyewitness auto driver Shyam, Milagres College retired Prof. Hilda Rodrigues, Kishan Hegde Kolkebailu, Balakrishna Shetty, Sundar Master, Abubakar Nejar, Janardana Tonse, Dinakara Heruru, Ramesh Kanchan offered condolences. Dr. Sunita Shetty paid tribute by reciting her own poetry.

Noor Muhammad, of the victim’s family said, “I can’t speak. If you talk, tears will come to your eyes. You all gave me courage. At first I thought it was me and my family. Looking at it now, the whole society is my family. This is the greatest strength I have received. My situation should not happen again to anyone and should not happen like this in any home”.

Muslim Union Udupi Taluk President SM Irshad Nejar presided. Maulana Adil Nadvi recited the Quran. Sheikh Salahuddin welcomed the gathering. T. M. Zafrullah Hooda gave the vote of thanks. Yaseen Kodi Bengre compared the programme.