UDUPI:Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt has threatened to go on an indefinite fast if activists try to lay siege to the Krishna Mutt seeking to stop discrimination in serving food to devotees.
During a recent ‘Udupi Chalo’ event, social worker Jignesh Mevani had given a deadline of two months for the Krishna Mutt to stop the practice of Pankti Bheda (discrimination) or else the activists would lay siege to the mutt.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the swamiji said his name has been unnecessarily dragged by the organisers of ‘Udupi Chalo’ event, organised to condemn the murder of Praveen Poojari by the self-styled gau rakshaks.
“Udupi Chalo organisers want to divide the Hindu society. It is important for progressive thinkers to repair their mind,” he said.
Meanwhile, Basavaraja Devaru of Revanasiddheshwar Mutt, Manasur, Dharwad has challenged Vishwesha Teertha to come for a debate with him as the latter had stated that even Basavanna had declined to have food with those who had not initiated to ‘Linga Deeksha’.
S Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, general secretary of Paryaya Samithi, condemned the attitude of the Udupi Chalo organisers who made “provocative” statements to damage harmony in the society.
About 150 workers of theCPM had been prevented by the police from laying siege to temple way back in 2012. The CPM workers were protesting against the practice of ‘Made Snana’ and ‘Pankti Bheda’. Police had resorted to lathicharge and arrested several activists after they tried to breach the barricade near the Sanskrit College.