Date:16/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061619020300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Religion should be free from political interference

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Religion should be free from any interference from political and economic forces, Sugunendra Thirtha Swamiji of Puttige Math has said.

Inaugurating "Harikathamruthasara Patana Yagna", sponsored by Tirupathi Dasasahitya Trust, the swamiji said religion played a key role in the development of different fields, including politics and economics. But interference in religious affairs by politicians and economists was causing degradation in social values, he said. The swamiji said women had a greater role to play in instilling religious and cultural values in children. Many women took part in the yagna conducted at Govardhana Kshetra auditorium in Basavanagudi.