Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Dec 9: BJP leader and Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (KEONICS) chairman Harikrishna Bantwal stirred a controversy stating that Padumale is the birthplace of Tulunadu bravehearts Koti-Chennayya, but not Gejjegiri.

In his speech during a programme, recently, Harishna Bantwal said, "For such long years, who has kept both places under the darkness? There are people who urge to name circles, airport and various other places after Koti-Chennayya, but nobody speaks over the issue that the birthplace of Koti-Chennayya is under darkness."

"Is that not a black mark to the heritage of Tulunadu? Why still there is confusion about the birthplace of Koti-Chennayya? What is the conspiracy and agenda behind this? We should understand this. There are historians, litterateurs and writers who wrote about the Koti-Chennayya. Why are they silent now?”

“The birthplace of Koti-Chennayya is Padumale. Their provenance is 'Kovethota'. We have come forward to develop Padumale with the only intention to keep the history of Koti-Chennayya memorable to the next generation.

“We have started this 'Padumale Koti-Chennayya Janmasthala Sanchalana Trust' to bring Padumale, the birthplace of Koti-Chennayya from darkness to light, so that the history of Koti-Chennayya known to the entire country,” he said.

"If Koti-Chennayya’s presence was limited to one community, they would not be such a legendary bravehearts today. They went beyond that and became great example of humanity,” he added.

Further, he said that he is not doing politics or has any intention to make money in the name of Koti-Chennaya. But his only intention is to develop the birthplace of Koti-Chennayya, so that people of the entire country know the history of the legendary heroes.

Condemning Harikrishna Bantwal's statement, leaders of Gejjegiri organised a meeting. They said that statement dividing the community and creating confusion among the devotees should not be given. If such things are repeated, a protest will also be held, they said.