Hindu dharma is a way of life not religion: Rajeev Pratap Rudy

Kozhikode: Hindu dharma has been accepted worldwide as a way of life and not as a religion, Union Minister Rajeev Pratap Rudy has said.

"Hindu dharma followed by crores of people in India is not a religion. It is accepted as a way of living worldwide," he said at a meet of Hindu spiritual organisations held at the beach here last night.

Delivering the key-note address at the 'Mahabharatham Dharmarakshana Sangamam,' he said Hindu dharma meant showing compassion to all irrespective of caste, religion or status.

Earlier, inaugurating the sangamam, Yoga guru Ramdev said dividing the society in the name of caste and religion should be stopped.

"The need of the hour is unity of the people and the nation. The madness of dividing people and the nation on the basis of caste and religion should be stopped," he said.

He urged people to avoid products by multi-national companies saying that people of the country should be equipped with products and techniques made in India.

He assured to start a higher education centre named after the Adi Sankara in Kerala, which is the sage's birth place.

Thousands of people from Kozhikode and nearby districts participated in the meet organised by various Hindu spiritual outfits like the Chinmaya Mission, Sri Ramakrishna Mission, Matha Amritanandamayi Math, Kolathur Advaitha Ashram.

More than a hundred sadhus and spiritual leaders from across the state participated in the meet.

Head of the Sivagiri math, Swami Prakashananda conducted a puja of holy waters brought from the rivers of Kerala.