Politicians must step aside, monks will eliminate extremism : Gnanasara Thera

Politicians must step aside since Buddhist monks have undertaken the responsibility of eliminating extremism from the country, Ven Gnanasara Thera said today (Jun 04).

"We invite the people of all faiths to submit their own proposals to resolve the current situation in the country," the Thera told a news conference of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) movement.

These proposals would be taken up for discussion during a meeting held by the Supreme Council of the Maha Sangha on July 07, he explained.

Gnanasara Thera noted that this matter had already been discussed with the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter recently and talks with the other Chief Prelates are currently underway. 

"The Chief Prelates are ready to lead the fight against extremism," he told reporters.

The BBS General Secretary cautioned that extremist ideologies such as Wahabism and Salafism would prevail until political leaders express their views openly by setting aside their political agendas.

He also took issue with the hunger strike launched by Parliamentarian Ven. Rathana Thera, by stating that the protest should have been carried out against groups which incite extremism as well.

The hunger strike had diverted the attention from the actual problem, Gnanasara Thero claimed.