Pejawar's 'anti-constitutional' remark sparks fury at Madesana face-off

Bangalore, January 8: Pejawar Seer Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji had to bear the brunt of an agitated audience for his alleged 'anti-constitutioinal' remark at a dialogue on Made Snana held at Gandhi Bavana, near Kumara Park here on Sunday.

“Madesnana: Ondu Samvada”, an interactive programme organized by Nidumamidi Math, comes a day after religious heads of more than 25 maths across Karnataka converged in Bangalore demanding a ban on the religious custom, where people from lower castes roll over the plantain leaves on which Brahimins are served food at temples.

The much-awaited dialogue began on a peaceful note in the presence of around 100 invited participants, mostly writers and intellectuals, along with nine Swamijis of different maths were present.

Speaking at the beginning, Pejawar Seer admitted that madesnana was a custom that needs to be stopped. But he also insisted that prohibition was not the method to do away with such practices. “We cannot stop the practice by declaring a ban. If you give me time, I will try to convince the concerned people and make sure that the practice was stopped. But protest is not the right method,” he said.

However, his remark on Shastras and the Constitution created a flutter. Dwelling on the importance of Shastras and beliefs, he said, “We all believe in God though we don't have any empirical proof. Similarly, Dharma Shastra is something on which we have full faith. At the same time we also respect Constitution. But, when there is a clash between the Shastras and Constitution, I will try to harmonise both. I am not ready to sacrifice Shastra for the sake of Constitution,” he said.

The seer's remark sparked a furore, with a section of participants standing up and expressing their dissent. Many in the audience said the Swamiji's remark was akin to showing disrespect to the Constitution.

After normalcy was restored, Channamalla Veerabhadra Swami of Nidumamidi Math, delivered his presidential speech. He stepped up attack on Swamiji and urged him to take some token steps in the interest of strengthening harmony between different sects among the Hindu community.

He also dared Pejawar seer to allow members of Dalit and backward communities to perform pooja at least in one of the eight maths of Udupi for a single day. “If you show such magnanimity, I will definitely become your follower and will take shishya deekshe,” he said.

Even after the programme, several activists of Dalit and other progressive organizations were seen venting their anger against Pejawar seer's remark. “He has openly challenged the superiority of the Constitution. He should be arrested immediately,” demanded one participant.