Udupi, (The Hindu): Union Minister of State for Skill Development Anant Kumar Hegde said on Thursday that he would take the message of Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Palimar Mutt for a Uniform Civil Code to the Union government.

He was speaking at a function to mark the inauguration of cultural and religious programme of Paryaya Palimar Mutt at Rajangana here.

Earlier, Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Palimar Mutt said that there should be equal rules and laws for both majority and minority communities in the fields of education, healthcare and jobs.

Mr. Hegde said that implementing the Uniform Civil Code was a difficult task. It was not easy. But the matter should be given a thought. He would take the Palimar seer’s message to the Union government, he said.

The Minister said that the history of the country showed that whenever there was deterioration of religious practices, saints had shown the right path.

Some historians in the country were saying that the country had a history of 5,000 years. They needed to do their calculations correctly, he said.

Even before the blooming of the world civilization, the people of the country believed in the philosophy of Vasudaiava Kutambakam — that the whole world is one family, Mr. Hegde said.

It was essential to study the lives and achievements of saints. This would show the people the direction to lead their lives in the right way, Mr. Hegde said.

Sugunendra Tirtha Swami of Puttige Mutt, who was present, said that he backed the Palimar seer’s demand for a Uniform Civil Code. He said that Udupi should be made a clean and green city. The Car Street in Udupi should be developed into Greater Car Street, he said.

Vidyesha Tirtha Swami of Bhandarkeri Mutt, Vidyatma Tirtha of Prayag Mutt, and others were present.