Daijiworld Media Network – Chikmagalur (SP)
Chikmagalur, Oct 22: Pramod Mutalik, national president of Sri Ram Sene, has warned the state government to take up repairs of the ceiling of Datta Peeta located in Baba Budangiri near here, before the date of Datta Jayanti which is a few days away, draws nearer. The Peetha is also known as Imam Dattatreya Peeta.
Speaking at a press meet organized here on Thursday October 21, Mutalik wanted the state government to take up the above repairs on a war footing and complete the repairs before Datta Jayanti day. He demanded that the devotees should be facilitated to have the darshan of the Datta Paduke at the cave since at least ten days before the Jayanti day. He demanded the powers that be in the state government to resign en masse, if they fail to meet this demand. He said that his organization will launch a protest against the inaction of the state government, if it fails to meet this deadline.
He said that a conference of likeminded people will be held near the cave to discuss the issue in detail and arrive at a conclusion about further steps. He accused the BJP government of rising to power by promising to follow pro-Hindu principles, and then forgetting the promises they had doled out, once they bagged power in the state. He accused the state government of insulting the people of the state by turning a blind eye to the damage suffered by the caves about two years back. He criticized Yeddyprappa for losing precious time in saving his chair, instead of ordering the repair of the cave. He accused the local BJP activists of organizing protests to secure position of power for the local MLA, forgetting the important issue of Datta Peetha repair.
He informed that about 5,000 devotees from all over the state will converge at the cave for the Dattamala programme on Friday Octover 22. The procession of the devotees will be led through the town since 9.30 am, he stated. He accused the district administration of not paying heed to the demand of the Sene to allow the devotees to have the darshan of the holy Paduke of Datta Peetha, which stands deposited in the district treasury as of now. He hoped that the district administration will mend its ways and allow for the darshan of the Paduke as requested.