Daijiworld Media Network -Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Oct 30: "Demanding the state government to form the corporation for the welfare of Billava and Ediga communities, and including  26 other sects and to fulfill various demands, we will hold a padayatra from Mangaluru to Bengaluru (covering 658 km)," said Pranavananda Swamiji Peetadipathi of Brahmashri Narayana Guru Shakthi Peeta, Kalburagi.

He was addressing a press meet on the premises of Kudroli temple here on Sunday, October 30.

The padayatra will be held from Kudroli temple on January 26 in 2023. Billava leader and former union minister B Janardhana Poojary will flag off the padayatra.

Chief ministers from Telangana, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, and ministers and MLAs from the community will be invited for the inauguration of padayatra.

The padayatra will start from Mangaluru and will pass through Udupi, Hosanagara, Thirthahalli, Sagara, Shivamogga, Shikaripura, Chennagiri, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Tumakuru and finally enter Bengaluru.
The padayatra will be held for 35 days covering a distance of 658 km.

Later, an indefinite huger strike will be held in Bengaluru's Freedom Park.

A committee has been formed for the padayatra. In the coming days, meetings will be held at the taluk level and community organisation will be strengthened, he said.

This padayatra will help unite various organisations in Billava and Ediga communities, he said.

Mangaluru Billava Taluk organisation president Jithendra Suvarna, Honorary president Ranjan Mijar, Parvathi Amin, Lokanath Poojary, Ganesh Poojary and others were present.

Swamiji had torn a photocopy of the government order to form Shri Narayanaguru cell for the development of the Billava and Ediga communities and 26 other communities.

"We have demanded the government to form a corporation. By setting up a cell the community has been insulted. We want a corporation to be constituted," he added

Demands of Swamiji

The government should release Rs 500 crores after forming the Brahmashri Narayanaguru corporation.

The seer said tapping of toddy across the state should be allowed all over the state.

The government should look into the demands of Billava community and end injustice.

Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple is being run by the Ediga community.The government should stop harassment being meted out to the temple administrative committee.