Mohan Kuthar

Pics: Praveen Studio

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 10: The district administration and police department finally succeeded in convincing T G Rajaram Bhat, who was holding protest by way of fast unto death since April 1 this year seeking arrest of people involved with theft and forcible snatching away of cows being looked after by the cow shelter managed by him at Kairangala here. However, this reprieve is temporary and Bhat has spelt out certain conditions and unless the officials, who have promised to meet them, keep their word, he might resume his protest.

Assistant commissioner here, Mahesh Karjagi, and city police commissioner, T Suresh, went to the private hospital at Deralakatte here where Bhat was admitted, on Monday April 9 evening, and held discussions with him. Bhat however, set certain conditions for ending his fast. He withdrew his protest on the basis of promises made by officials to meet the conditions set out by them. After he agreed to end his protest, Bhat was discharged from the hospital.

Rajaram Bhat said thereafter that he had decided to temporarily end his agitation on the basis of promises made by the officials to meet his demands. "I sought assurance that in spite of which government comes to power in Karnataka after the election, criminals involved with theft of cows from Amrithdhara cow shelter should be arrested, supply of drugs should be contained, and six check points should be set up to stop smuggling of things from across the border into Karnataka," Bhat explained, adding that he has faith in Karnataka police.

City police commissioner, T R Suresh, said that Bhat has been assured that cow thieves would be nabbed at the earliest. "At our request, he promised to end his fast," he explained.

Pejawar Swamiji visits cows shelter

Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math said that he is sad about the condition prevailing in the country and he is fed up by the chaos prevalent all over. "Rajaram Bhat has fought against cattle theft like Arjuna who fought against cattle thieves in Virat Nagar as explained in the epic, Mahabharat. It is tragic that the government has failed to act against the culprits in spite of knowing their identities very well. Bhat has been fighting for the conservation of cows, and this agitation will continue with more vigour. No irregularities should happen relating to cows. There is a need to protect cows," he insisted.

The Swamiji reiterated that the government has failed to arrest the culprits in this case although there are eyewitnesses about their involvement. He blamed police officials for their inertia. "The work Bhat has been involved with is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Thousands of people should join hands in this task. The hunger strike will succeed only if the government has humanity. Therefore, our fight against injustice should not be violent, and in my opinion, fast unto death also need not be undertaken. Let us undertake the fight through alternative methods. My health has deteriorated now. Still, I will join all of you in the fight that will be undertaken in future for the cows. Like Lord Shiva who consumed poison for the welfare of the universe, Bhat has sacrificed for the good of the people," he added.

Pejawar Swamiji was speaking after formally ending the nine-day fast undertaken by Rajaram Bhat by feeding him Prasadam of Lord Krishna and offering him milk. Rajaram Bhat thanked everyone who supported his hunger strike.

Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, Shylaja Mangalore, Prof M B Puranik, Nandaraj Shetty Pijinabail, Prabhavati of Neerolike Sevashram, and Jagadish Kuvvettabail were present.