Daijiworld Media Network –Mangaluru (SK)

Mangaluru, Jan 5: Demanding the state government to form a corporation for the welfare of Billawas and Ediga communities including 26 other sects and to fulfill various demands, Pranavananda Swamiji Peetadipathi of Brahmashri narayana Guru Shakthi Peeta, Kalburagi, will hold a padayatra from Mangaluru to Bengaluru from January 6 covering 658 km.

Addressing the media on January 5, Pranavananda Swamiji said, “The padayatra will be held from Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha temple on January 6. Billava leader and former union minister B Janardhana Poojary will flag off the padayatra. Telangana cabinet minister Srinivas Gowda will be inaugurating the padayatra. The padayatra will be held for 40 days covering a distance of 658 km. Later, an indefinite hunger strike will be held at Bengaluru Freedom Park.

“This padayatra is not against the government but to fulfill various demand. I am facing threat calls from various people and politicians to stop this padayatra. But I am not afraid of their threats. My protest is not against any politician, MLA or MP. It is to protect and uphold Billawa and Ediga communities,” he said.

When asked about Swami Bhadraanand statement against him, Pranavananda Swamiji said, “The elephant keeps walking as the dogs keep barking.”

The demands of Pranavananda Swamiji include Rs 500 crores from government after the formation of the Brahmashree Narayana Guru Corporation, tapping of toddy should be allowed all over the state, the government should look into the demands of the Billawa community and end injustice, and the government should stop harassment being meted out to the temple administrative committee of Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple which is being run by the Ediga community.