TUMAKURU: Water Resources Minister M B Patil paid a surprise visit to Siddaganga Mutt on Thursday night and held an in-camera meeting with centenarian seer Shivakumara Swamiji and his junior Siddalinga Swamiji.
Former IPS officer Shankar Bidari accompanied the minister. Bidari had played a pivotal role when the mutt was in turmoil during 1980s when devotees were divided between Sri Shivakumara Swamiji and the late Sri Gowrishankara Swamiji as the latter was dethroned as junior pontiff .The minister who had arrived privately did not divulge about the talks he held with the Swamijis. “Sri Shivakumara Swamiji is our god and Basavanna of modern times. We should obey his wish which is ultimate,” he said.
Action against mutt staff
Meanwhile, authorities at the Mutt are all set to take action against Shivakumar, an instructor at Siddaganga Institute of Technology, for going to the media in favour of M B Patil a few days ago. “He was not authorised to give statements and we will take stringent action against him,” said mutt administrative officer Vishwanathaiah.