Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 24: The participation of Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji of Ramachandrapur Mutt in the religious meeting organized at Sri Sahasralingeshwara Mahakali Temple in Uppinangady on account of Brahmakalashotsava on Monday February 23 was cancelled.

His proposed 'Shivakatha' programme also got cancelled, as the Swamiji chose to abide by the orders of the commissioner in the department of state Hindu religious and charitable endowments department commissioner to ensure that the Swamijii does not take part in the programme.

The commissioner, after receiving representations from certain people, had asked the executive officer of the above temple to cancel the Swamiji's programme as the latter faces criminal case.

It may be recalled that the temple Brahmakalashotsava Samiti had decided to go ahead with the programme as scheduled with the participation of Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji, duly overlooking the instructions of the commissioner, as it felt that withdrawal of invitation to the Swamiji at the last minute would not be a right step. President of the Samiti and Puttur MLA, Shakuntala Shetty, too had echoed similar views.

It is said that the commissioner had issued the above instruction at the instructions of law and muzrai minister, T B Jayachandra. This initiative has come under criticism from some of his own party men, as the directive is aimed only against a religious leader, and not against politicians and other persons, many of whom are facing several criminal cases including some in which charge sheets have been filed unlike in the case of the Swamiji.

The organizers of the programme and devotees were waiting to receive the Swamiji. However, the Swamiji, who arrived from Bengaluru, directly went to his Math branch at Peraje instead of going to Uppinangady.