By Colombo Telegraph –
Two weeks before large angry mobs attacked the warehouse of the Fashion Bug clothing store in Pepiliyana on Thursday (28) night, the Bodu Bala Sena group launched a tirade of verbal abuse against the Muslim owned textile chain at a massive rally in Kandy.
Galabodaaththe Gnanasara
Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary and vociferous hardline monk, Galabodaaththe Gnanasara accused the clothing chains Fashion Bug and No Limit of forcibly converting Sinhalese women working at their stories into Islam.
“We have all the proof and information about the Fashion Bug and No Limit outlets and what they are doing to your girl children! What harm have we done to the Muslims?” Gnanasara Thero said.
Reading from a list of names the BBS General Secretary said they were Sinhalese men and women who had gone to work at Fashion Bug and No Limit in Kandy and been converted to Islam.
“We ask the big bosses at Fashion Bug and No Limit, is this true or not? They claim it’s not true. Oh the poor little pussycats. We are not asking anyone to go and stone these places and attack them. Come and have discussions with us – let’s solve this through discussion,” the monk said angrily.
He charged that nine Sinhalese girls were recently sacked from the Fashion Bug outlet in Kandy because a Manager at the store had begun having a relationship one of them.
“Harems are being created. Are we to sit back and allow this to happen? This is not extremism. We have to discuss these issues,” he charged.
The monk urged the crowd to refrain from permitting their daughters from going to work at these shops.
“Hereafter we will only send our boys to work in these shops. They will no longer get our women!” the monk raged.
Gnanasara Thero accused the store owners of mistreatment of the Sinhalese men and women who are employed there.
“On Fridays to go to the mosque, they close their shops for two hours. They switch off the lights and the air conditioning. Like broiler chickens in a coop, our boys and girls are left inside while they go to pray – they will go for hell for this,” he said.
The monk called for these stores to be shut down on Poya Days to allow Buddhists working there to go to the temple too.
“This is not racism,” he said.
A mob numbering in the hundreds attacked the Fashion Bug warehouse on Thursday, causing extensive damage to property and personnel. The manager of the warehouse was hospitalized and journalists were attacked by the mob for filming the attack. Several monks were among the mob.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E76Ivbw_I4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
M A Sumanthiran on attacks on numerically minorities – Attacks on Muslims girls and Buddhists monk led attacks on Churches;
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQkWXDQovGQ
Related posts;
Video Evidence: Buddhist Monk Attacks Muslim Owns Fashion Bug
Muslim Owns Fashion Bug Is Attacked By A Mob Led By Buddhist Monks
azar / March 29, 2013
Muslims have not tried to convert anyone to Islam, unless it is out of their own conviction. or have committed any hostile or provocative activities against other religion. As citizens born in this country, it is very pathetic to consider the plight of the Muslims in Sri Lanka today, where questions are raised of what we eat and dress, just because of the majority has unfounded, and baseless fears about the Muslims. So, it is expected that we should change our eating habits, dress and stop our children acquiring religious knowledge from madrasas. Well to think on what aspects of our lives the majority would get apprehensions in the future and we may have to change all just to please the majority chauvinistic elements, otherwise they will be provoked. At this stage a question arises, As citizens born in this country why just like the other citizens we cant eat, wear, and study what we want without going against the law, is this not our fundamental right,Recently the U.N. ways that at present the people are pulled out of poverty, at the rate that nowhere in our history ever happened. But whats happening in Sri Lanka after the war it is not the unity of the country strengthen, economic milestone are set for the people to achieve as one nation, but rather jealousy, hatred, and other unconceivable feelings are fed into the minds of the people in the name of protecting their race., Its seems that we will never learn.Instead of implementing LLRC, sri lanka may implement LBRS, (we have brought one community into submission) Lets Bring the Rest To Submission.
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Mahela / March 29, 2013
That’s why God have made them to be beggars to eat what other people give and go from house to house asking Pinda Patha.
These crook beggars will never allow anybody to come up in life with a racist mind. They have not seen both Majority and minority how they enjoy life.
Wait little longer until God brings Wrath upon you and your fake Sinhala Buddhist Therawada country. Very soon you will make people to eat Punnakku and thanakola (Coconut dust and Grass)
It is said that Pride comes before Fall, and I see it in you.
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nimanta / March 30, 2013
Where is that foolish God now? Blind faith followers. They are not beggers. Food are brought to temples, then offered and then they are been respected. What you can do except be jelous on their life. YOur foolish God is only a wild Dog which can do nothing but irrational belief. This Ven Sir is doing very well. Congratulation Ven Sir. Encourage more and more joungsters. Then they know they have proud life and identity in Sri Lanka.
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Mahela / March 31, 2013
These are mere know nothing, do nothing Pinguththarayas. They hijacked and dictate our Independence, Freedom, life style and politics ever since Independence with their religion.
No where in the democratic world a major religion dictators and interfere with country’s politics as Sri Lanka.
Now some monks even hijack Buddhism to say that Lord Buddha was born in Sri Lanka, while another clown say that Rajapakses are blood relatives of Lord Buddha and King Dutugemunu.
Please go and look after your “Handa Hava” Rabbit in the moon.
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Mohideen / March 29, 2013
The Buddhist Monks are ruing the country by the support of the Racist minded government, Muslim MP’s should resign from their postion in the Government. The Buddhist Monks have forgotten from where major highest share of income of foreign exchange comes from, where the Petrol comes from, where the present government got a loan to run the government budget. They forgot who supported them in the UN resolution on voting.
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Burt / March 29, 2013
If Tissanayagam was charged and sentenced 20 years for a article he wrote in a magazine which many did not even see, how come this is not questioned or charged for spreading hate in person and through mass media?
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Jayantha / March 29, 2013
When you put the dots together It clearly show that this is also another Rajapakse and Comapny plan to Acquire Nolimit and Fashion Bug chain of stores throughout Sri Lanka using violant means.
After systematically acquiring Shell Gas Company, Apollo Hospital, Harry Jayawardena and Daya Gemage’s Sugar Plantations and factories, Bankruptcing Golden Key Empire in order to acquire the whole Conglomerate and a heap of other private Hotels and Business and Real Estates and colombo stock exchange, This is another MARA/GOTA/BASIL/CHAMAL Rajapakse strategy to acquire successfully run business of No Limit and Fashion Bug store chains owned by Muslim Community using Gota’s Thug Army BBS.
Therefore I tell my Muslim Brothers and all other Minority population in Sri Lanka…..PLEASE DON’T ALLOW MARA/ GOTA/ BASIL/ CHAMA/ TO STEEL YOUR HARD EARNED BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES.
PLEASE GET EVEN HELP FRO OTHER GULF MUSLIM COUNTRIES TO SAFEGUARD YOUYR BUSINESSES.
THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT THESE GOVT. HOOLIGANS DID IN 1983.
THEREFORE MUSLIM BROTHERS, CHRIATIAN BROTHERS, HINDU BROTHERS, PLEASE DON’T ALLOW THESE UNIVERSALLY NOTED RAJAPAKSE ALIBABAS TO STEAL ANYMORE OF YOUR PROPERTY, BUSINESSES, RELIGION, CHILDREN AND THEIR LIVES.
BE VIGILANT AND WE WILL FOLLOW THEM WHERE EVER THEY GO.
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Dhaksha / March 30, 2013
I don’t know if that is the real reason, but one thing is correct, they are a bunch of greedy, no good, crooks, who has raped this county and enriching the family with ill gotten gains.
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AYMAN / April 2, 2013
THIS IS ALL DUE TO “GOTA’S” CONNECTION WITH “HOUSE OF FASHION”!!!!
SINCE “FASHION BUG ” AND “NO LIMIT” ARE MUSLIM OWNED AND THEY ARE DOING WELL.
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Avb / March 30, 2013
How this MODA monk asking Sinhalese girls not to do day job at Muslim owned businesses, while lot of Sinhalese sending their mothers, and daughters to MiddleEast as unskilled domestic workers. This is happening in the last 25 years and I never heard these MODA Sadus talking about it …
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Safa / March 30, 2013
So far no credible action by the Police or Govt. 2 or 3 buggers arrested. The robed criminals and thugs are allowed to continue their unholy actions. Justice and governnace Rajapakse style. Gotas War?
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Wyatt K / March 30, 2013
I sent this letter to the Sri Lankan Embassy here in the US and I just wanted to share it. I may not know a lot about Sri Lanka, but I do know that I had the privilege of meeting many fine Sri Lankans at Eastern Connecticut State University and I care about them would like to see them live in peace and harmony. Here is my e-mail:
Dear Sir or Madam:
I had the privilege of meeting many Sri Lankans while attending Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Connecticut. I just wanted to write and say that I am very sad to hear of the recent strife in Sri Lanka today. It pains me to think that a country with such fine people as I had the honor to attend the university with have such problems now. I hope you know that people in the US care about Sri Lanka and have friends there who represent a lot of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. I hope the government will govern on behalf of them all and make the nation cohesive.
I have read with interest about recent violence against Muslims. The Economist recently had an article, on May 23, 2013, noting that the military is increasingly playing an active role in daily life which it sees as a negative. I have also read about the strife in the judiciary as well.
I am pleased that the civil war is over. I do believe that the only way Sri Lanka will heal is with an international review of what occurred in the last days of the war and holding those responsible on both sides accountable for any war crimes that were committed. I believe international review is necessary because how can the Tamils and other minorities trust the outcome of an internal investigation. Thus, I conclude an international investigation is the only way to heal these old wounds.
You may disagree with me, depending on your politics, but I do find that M. A. Sumanthiran represents the best that I have seen from Sri Lanka. It is my hope to meet him someday. I hope he might come to Connecticut.
More than anything, I hope for peace and prosperity in Sri Lanka because there are people there that I care about very much who have families and children. I pray for peace and calm in Sri Lanka and a restoration of harmony for all there. I love your people and it was an honor to attend the university with them here….
Wyatt Kopp,
Ledyard, Connecticut
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Jayantha / March 30, 2013
Thank you Mr.Wyatt Kopp for your concerns of our country. We know how much our International community friends love our country and It’s people.
Infact we been citizens of Sri Lanka we feel sorry to see these type of riots, theft and hooligans brought upon our Muslim Brothers, Tamil Brothers and Christian Brothers in this so called Sinhala Buddhist country under the nose of Government where The Police is just watching when the thuggery was carried out.
Lord Buddha did not preach this kind of violant behaviour among Buddhist priests. The whole Sri Lanka Therawada Sinhala Buddhist Preaching is a Blind Philosophy and these type of Hooliganism prooves it. Just look at the size of these priests.
Do you think they are Vegetarians eating only two meals a day. Never. Just compare them with Thailand, Cambodia, China, Japanese, Tibetan and other countries Buddhist Priests and their body srtuctures……or just compare them with ordinary Sri lankan people and you will see the difference. I tell this after researched done on vegetarian and vegan diets and seen their structure, behaviour and their energy levels.
Sri Lanka Buddhist Priests just dupe the public and the Country and it’s leaders with their Religious Political Power and Threat which could topple the Government. In short the Buddhism in Sri Lanka has Hijacked The Government, It’s economy, it’s culture, it’s majority and minority population and it’s daily life. That’s why the Police is standing just watching the whole episode when the looting going on. Also the Govt. using BBS to suppress minority and majority to stay in power.
We know in USA with over 200 different ethnic groups and Religion and Races you still run your country so peacefully and smoothly, But in Sri Lanka with three communities who have histories of over 2000 years cannot live in peacefully due to this Therawada Sinhala Buddhist cult been hijacked our country.
Our country will never be able to flourish until this Racist Therawada Buddhist Cult control it’s Governance, Politics, Economy and daily life.
We thank you for your help and concern of our country.
Thank you.
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hg / March 30, 2013
This really stinks get the President to get off his But and take some action. This is a disgrace to all BUDDHIST, DUE TO THE EXTREMIST COME ON TAKE A STAND, don’t let these hooligans rule. They just Bring hatred into the community SHAME SHAME SHAME
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Sunaka Sena / March 30, 2013
Barking dogs are not bite. but here gunasaro burathi, his gole theros hapathi. Gunasara & his yellow robe thugs will bark till some one feed. Kanna mas katu nethi wunu datha balusena katu deepu ayawama hapa kana eka balagatha heki. oka ballange heti.
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kaputakukula / March 30, 2013
Sri Lankan buddhist monks behave like thugs (Media stope the prefix ‘ven.’ in front of these rascal’s name. They don’t deserve it.).
Sri Lankan sinhala buddhist monks are shaping buddhism into a religion of “violence and racism” shaming buddha by bragging that they follow the ‘path’ of buddha.
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An Australian / March 30, 2013
Galabodaathhe Ganasara monk’s firing , anti-Muslim speech definitely ignited hatred in the minds of the Sinhalese youth. Around the world, people turn into Islam specially in Europe. They accept Islam not for money or for other reasons. They accept Islam after studying about Islam. After the 9/11, many converted to Islam in USA . After the “Halal” Publicity, I am sure in Sri Lanka , many will take the Quran Translation and try to explore the message of Islam. Dr Zakir Naik in India conduct Islamic speeches all over including in India and in the Middle East. I have seen people accepting Islam after such events. In India, no extremist organization have ever tried to disturb his lectures. I can just imagine having a lecture in Sri Lanka. There are many other scholars like Khalid Yasin (USA) and Sheik Yousuf Estes(USA) conduct Islamic speeches all over the world attended by large number of people. Practically in every such event, number of people accepted Islam. Once late Sheik Ahmad Deedat (South African) visited Sydney and had debate on a Good Friday in the Sydney Town Hall. Just imagine to do such things in a country like Sri Lanka. Buddhist people need not worry about the influence of other religion if they are convinced in their faith and they practice Govethama Buddha’s message.
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nimanta / March 30, 2013
Europe people get convert only when they want to marry many many women. That is the only reason. The sole purpose of coming to Islam is to get pleasure of many women. If not what is there to learn in that dogmatic Quoran. All things for believing. This is the age of questioning not blin-believing.
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PEACELOVER.. / March 30, 2013
BUDHIST FRIENDS,
READ THIS LETTER SENT TO MUSLIM POPULAR BOOK SHOP AND MOSKUES IN MARADANA , COLOMBO 10 , BY BODU BALU SENA ” KAAMADURU THUGS ” ..
( COPY AND PASTE LINK OR CLICK )
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/bbs.jpg
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mohamed / March 30, 2013
oil from saudi is good? mattala airport only gets two international airlines….. both from muslim countries. shame on you bbs
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PEACELOVER.. / March 30, 2013
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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nimanta / March 30, 2013
If he cannot speak what really happen, then you are saying allow Muslims to convert Buddhist using jobs and other things? Should Buddhist tolerate each and every invation other religions do for them? Do u suggest to be netral for every invation others do againt their culture. Many Buddhist and many people with brain justify the speech of the monk. He clearlly says he is not for fighting. If you can prove the facts he produce is inacurate? If not just you are writing for money.
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Pol Pot / March 31, 2013
If Buddhists can be converted to Islam “using jobs and other things” they are not being taught the true Dhamma of the Buddha. That is the fault of the ‘Monks’ who are teaching Buddhists the wrong way of doing things.
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Mahela / March 31, 2013
In any Democracy, there’s a way to resolve every issue amicably. There is a Parliament, court of Law, supreme courts and Human Rights commission to resolve these issues.
How come this started with Halal now going to Muslim owned Clothing stores. What is next.
THIS IS PURE ROBBERY AND CALLED ETHNIC CLENSING AND IT IS GENOCIDE.
ALL THESE CULPRITS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURTS ONE DAY.
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Nabil / March 31, 2013
Aney Nimantha
Tuan Mohamed Dishan and Suraj Mohamed were what before they became national cricketers? Weren’t their parents Muslim and Sinhala?
It would be interesting to know what forces or beliefs were at “play” that made them change their names later on? Was it gana gelapeema to make them better cricketers?
Certainly not cricket, ney?
Muslims are converting so that they can play for the country! Nishe Noe? :)
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PEACELOVER.. / March 31, 2013
@Nimantha must be a memeber of BODU BALU SENA BAUDHDA TERRORISTS..No knowlege about the current situation and mentality in European Chiristians.. YOU BETTER PROVE HERE HOW MANY REVERTED EUROPEAN MARRIED 04 WOMEN ?
But your KAAMA BAUDHAY SINKALAYA in Sri Lanka , marry and living one wife but going to hotels and lodges , guesthouese to SLEEP WITH PROSTITUTES AND OTHER GIRLS WHO ARE WORKING IN THEIR OFFICES..MANY LAWYERS ARE KEEPING THEIR SECRETARIES SECRETLY..I HAVE SEEN MANY YOUNG GIRLS HANGING WITH OLD – WEDDHA LAWYERS GIVING PLEASURE WHEnEVER GET CHANCE INSIDE OFFICE….WHY THESE IMMORAL BAUDHA SINKALAYAAS DO this ?. BETTER MARRY MORE THAN ONE WIFE AND ENJOY LIE MORALLY AND LEGALLY SO THAT UNMARRIED WOMEN GET MARRIAGE TOO..
you ONCE , ONLY ONCE , READ QUR’AAN , THE DIVINE , PROTECTED LAST TESTAMENT , AND THEN DECIDE. THEN YOU WILL THINK WHAT IS THERE TO LEARN..AND ,,,,
WHY MANY SCIENTISTS, PHILOSOPHERS, AND EVEN CHRISTIAN PRIESTS, MINISTERS, CINEMA ACTORS , ACTRESS, LEARNED PEOPLE ARE REVERT TO THE DIVINE ,WAY OF LIFE , ISLAAM…
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Candidly / March 31, 2013
The Colombo Telegraph can hardly criticise the BBS for allegedly encouraging violence against Moslems in Sri Lanka when the CT itself can also legitimately be accused of encouraging violence against Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu by printing the lies, canards and wilful distortions of the likes of Frances Harrison, Paul Newman, Usha S. Sri-Skanda-Rajah and Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran.
Have the editors of the Colombo Telegraph not heard of the word hypocrisy? It means to accuse others of doing wrong when you are doing the same thing or worse yourself.
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Mango / March 31, 2013
There already exists specifically a ‘Buddhist’ punishment fit for Buddhist priests who forment inter-ethnic and inter-religious hatred. During JVP 2 (late 1980s), monks arrested under suspicion of being JVP activists were subjected to a specifically Buddhist form of punishment called “hitting the dhammacakka” (dhammacakke gahanava) The Wheel of Dharma, geddit?
“The monk was ordered to squat on the ground, elbows encircling the knees. A pole was pushed under the knees and over the elbows. With the body hanging from it, the pole was lifted and supported by the arms of two chairs. The body was then spun like a wheel in the space between the chairs and and beaten with a bat until the victim passed out or bled to death.”
“The state [had] invented a specifically “Buddhist” punishment for a certain type of Buddhist.”
http://tinyurl.com/c5ner2k
As much as I abhor violence, it seems to have worked. I’m just saying…..
Also, since Galabodaaththe Gnanasara believes in rebirth, he shouldn’t be afraid to die. He’ll be quickly reborn, hopefully as a Sri Lankan muslim female.
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lankaputhra / March 31, 2013
Ultimatley sinhala Bauddhayan Against sinhala Bauddhayan. What a pity !
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Silas / April 1, 2013
When are the so called “Mahanayaka’s” going to wake up from their deep slumber???
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Nabil / April 3, 2013
Dear Silas
A Chief Prelate in Kandy backs the BBS. He has made noises about minorities “intruding” into Sinhala areas and has asked for vigilance. When Minister Thondaman visited Kandy to apologize for the attack on Monks in TN, this prelate chose his words very carefully; he said “when Tamils and Sinhalese fight there are others who benefit”, he deliberately left out the Muslims.
Racism is not limited to a few; its a national pastime. Unfortunately
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / April 1, 2013
Why have not the Buddhist priests- it is absolutely erroneous to call them monks- seen in these video clips been arrested yet? What are they doing in the streets and the store at that time in the night? Is it not a requirement that they be in their temples and nivasa’ s after dusk? Why are these thugs clad in robes being Molly coddled? Who was responsible for ringing the temple bells?
The government has much to answer for. The people are asking the right questions, but the answers are not forthcoming from the government.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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truelankan / April 2, 2013
I wonder why people don’t talk about young boys being sexually abused in the Buddhist temples by old temple priests. This is a common occurrence. Secondly, the number of women kept as “Keeps” by many Buddhist priests should be investigated.
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Nabil / April 3, 2013
Shhhhhh the truth died a long time ago, :(
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DODU / April 4, 2013
Please, please do not shout. These are the TOP OPEN SECRETS that even a layman knows. Shame!
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THE QUIET MAN / April 3, 2013
What’s all this fuss about??.BOTH PARTIES HAVE COME TO AN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT,THE CASE WITHDRAWN, AND ALL THE ACCUSED SET FREE.This settlement came about because the Muslim shopowners were pressurised by VVIPS to withdraw the charges, or otherwise they would have to face the risk of ALL their chain of shops in the country being TORCHED by people whom the Police will classify as UNKNOWN.So the Muslims realised that DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOUR, and called the whole thing off.But the MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION is will this ROWDYISM end here???
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DODU / April 4, 2013
Todays Daily Mirror front page says, “ANOTHER BUDHIST MONK GUILTY OF DRUNK DRIVING AND FINED IN THE COURT” here, faithful is following the leaders (BBS) path!
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