Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 14: It has been a prace to offer a sufficiently wide seat for Swamijis in programmes as they normally sit in Padmasana posture. However, the muzrai minister of Kerala, who objected to this arrangement, got the seat on which Sringeri Swamiji was to be seated, removed. Feeling insulted, the Swamiji, who was invited to the event, did not take part in the programme held on Monday June 12, reports said.

Sri Vidhushekhara Bharathi Swamiji is on a tour, and he had been specially invited to attend a programme organized on the occasion of dedicating to the world the newly developed temple pond of Lord Mahavishnu temple at Mitranandapuram near Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala Devaswom minister, Kadanapalli Surendran, and Congress legislator, Shivakumar, got the special seat meant for the Swamiji removed from the dais, it is learnt. Sources said that disturbed by this development, the Swamiji left the programme without delivering the address.

State BJP president, Yeddyurappa, and BJP general secretary, Shobha Karandlaje, have condemned the behaviour of the politicians in this incident and demanded apology from them. Yeddyurappa felt that the minister had the option of not inviting the Swamiji to the programme if he was unable to meet his requirements. Shobha Karandlaje sought unconditional apology for this incident from Kerala chief minister.

Devaswom minister, Surendran, justified his action. He said that he got the seat shifted along with MLA, Shivakumar, as the seat was occupying too much space, and that the policy of his government was to treat everyone equally.

Surendran’s act has been praised by many on social media including Congress MLA VT Balram. Balram said such acts abhorring displays of grandeur and opulence especially accorded to religious heads are welcome, reported The Indian Express.