Pejavar mutt seer begins 3-day fast over power plant issue; says he is not against Putthige seer

Udupi, January 9: Pejavar mutt head Sri Visvesha Thirtha Swamiji on Monday launched a three-day fast protesting the state government's decision to drop two experts appointed to a panel to study the environmental impact on the proposed thermal power plant at Nandikur, which he has been opposing.

Putthige Mutt seer Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, Palimaru Mutt seer Vidyadheesha Theertha Swamiji, Kemaru Mutt seer Eesha Vittala Swamiji and Working President of the Jana Jagruthi Samithi Nandikur Balakrishna Shetty, Raitha Sangha District President Vijay Hegde and others participated in the protest dharna.

Visvesha Thirtha Swamiji said that state government had dropped two of the members from the expert committee for the reason that they had given a media statement prior to submitting a report to the government.

“When contacted CM Sadananda Gowda showed at Higher Education Minister Dr VS Acharya for the decision. Dr VS Acharya who approached me saying that I shall suggest two other names to be included in to the committee. Dr Acharya even said that neither he took any benefits from the Lanco, the promoters of the UPCL plant nor his doctor children set up a hospital in Hyderabad with the support of the Lanco, as alleged by some people”, he said adding, “I feel it was not fair on the part of the state government to drop two of the members from the expert committee, at a juncture when the committee almost set to submit its report”.

Pejavar announced to place his demands at the end of his fasting on Wednesday before the government.

'Not against Putthige seer'

Visvesha Thirtha Swamiji also said that he was not against Putthige Mutt pontiff Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji participating in the Paryaya festivities.

Replying to press persons Pejavar said, “I will not have any objection to Putthige seer Sugunendra Theertha participating in the Paryaya programme. I will continue to participate in the festivities if Putthige pontiff participates in the same”.

Pejavar expressed his helplessness in the issue saying, “three of the Ashta Matadhipathies (Krishnapur Mutt seer, Palimaru Mutt seer and Pejavar Junior seer), including my junior, who did not offer poojas to lord Krishna, during the Putthige paryaya period, are opposing his participation. Unless there is unanimity I cannot give a judgment in the case”.

Putthige Mutt seer Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji who joined Pejavar pontiff at the fasting venue in Nandikur said that he was under pressure from his followers to participate in the Paryaya festivities. His followers have decided to take him lifting in the Paryaya procession.