Swamijis are land grabbers: Dr UR Ananthamoorthy

He was speaking after releasing the book 'Ananthamoorthy Maatukathe; Hatthu Samasthara Jothe', a collection of articles on Ananthamoorthy, edited by professor H Pattabhirama Somayaji, at a programme organized by Rathabeedi Geleyaru, here on Tuesday.

“What I hate the most in Hindu dharma is the untouchability. We are lagging behind because of our caste based 'Varna' system. Though it was there among our Western Counterparts too, they have overcome the same considerably to achieve development”, he said.

He said that people should inculcate patriotism and not nationalism. If the security personnel in Kashmir, keep on asking for Identity Card how can a citizen of Kashmir, proud to be an Indian?, he questioned.

India had a rich religious tradition. But today none of the Swamijis had preserved that. The cult of Ramana Maharshi or Ramakrishna Paramahamsa had been extinguishing. There was no religious leader to be compared to the above. “Today's Swamijis are land grabbers. In that matter no body can beat the one in Bangalore”, he said.

Ananthamoorthy opined that except 2-3 ministers, all the ministers of the Karnataka cabinet were fit to be behind bars for at least a year. Politicians who amass wealth must be punished, he added.

H Pattabhirama Somayaji, critic HN Shivaprakash, Israli Poet Dithi Ronyan and classical dancer Manjula Subrahmanya, President of Rathabeedi Geleyaru Muralidhar Upadhya Hiriadka, Prof Phaniraj, writer G Rajashekhar, Sahithya Academy awardee Vaidehi and others were present.