UDUPI: The controversy over not inviting Puthige Mutt pontiff Sugunendra Theertha for the Paryaya festivities took a new turn with senior Pejawar Mutt pontiff Vishwesha Theertha too joining the fasting spree to make his stand clear.
Sugunendra Theertha announced to go on a fast from January 17 demanding the Pejawar pontiff to make sincere efforts in pursuing the Asta Matadhipathis in inviting Sugunendra Theertha to the Paryaya celebrations of Sode Mutt, marking the ascending of Sarvajna peetha in the early hours of January 18.
Replying to Sugunendra Theertha’s allegations, Pejawar pontiff said that he could have made a successful attempt if Sugunendra had fulfilled all the three conditions put forward by the Asta Matadhipathis, during his (Sugunendra’s) Paryaya period.
“At the beginning of Sugunendra Theertha’s Paryaya period, the rest of the Asta Matadhipathis had put three conditions. He was asked to abstain from ascending the sarvajna peetah (should enjoy only administrative power), should not touch lord Krishna’s idol and also abstain from offering Tulsi and flowers to the idol. But except abstaining from touching lord Krishna’s idol, Sugunendra Theertha did not fulfil any of the conditions. When this is the case I cannot convince the rest of the yatis to invite him in the Paryaya celebrations, Pejawar said adding that in the past also there were several occasions where many of the incoming Paryaya swamijis did not invite some of the Asta Matadhipathis.”
“In spite of everything, as Sugunendra Theertha is fasting after making baseless allegations against me, I feel embarrassed to take my meals. So I will also go on a fast from January 16 midnight till January 18 noon.”
Meanwhile, Sugunendra Theertha said he was sorry if he hurt the feelings of Pejawar pontiff. He expected Sode Mutt pontiff Vishwavallabha Theertha, to follow the tradition guided by Sri Vadiraja to keep the Asta Matadhipathis united.