The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : I was forced out: Kumbakonam Mutt head

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 20, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

I was forced out: Kumbakonam Mutt head

By Our Staff Reporter

KUMBAKONAM, JAN.19. Sri Neelakanta Saranga Mahadesika Swamigal, head of the Veera Saiva Periya Mutt at Kumbakonam, which was taken over by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department, today said he was forced to leave the premises by its officials.

He is now residing in a bungalow belonging to Nagaraja Anthanappa Handi, former power agent of the Mutt, who died on Monday.

The Swamigal told The Hindu that the "so called" takeover was``illegal". He was pressured into signing that he agreed to the takeover. The takeover could be done only through court, he said. He would meet the challenge legally and return to the Mutt soon.

He said that on January 7, Dhanapal, Deputy Commissioner, and other HR and CE officials locked the gates even when he was inside the Mutt. "He (Dhanapal) did not allow me to use the telephone. They snapped all incoming calls saying`wrong number'. He wanted me to sign a paper agreeing to the takeover of the Mutt. When I told him that Handi should come and only then could I sign the document, he wanted me to sign immediately.

`` Moreover, the document was in English. I know only Kannada. But the HR and CE officials took my signature under coercion", the Swamigal alleged. He said Chennabasavappa, his disciple, was witness to the happenings. On January 17, after the death of Handi,`` they forced me out of the Mutt''.

Official denies

However, Mr. Dhanapal maintained that the Swmigal himself agreed to the takeover and gave his approval in writing. He wanted to leave for Bangalore. But he changed his mind and was staying back. The Mutt was taken over on the orders of the HR and CE Commissioner, said Mr. Dhanapal.

The case between the Government and the Mutt on the issue of ``mismanagement and takeover'', which has been going on for the past three years, came up for hearing today in the Kumbakonam sub-court. Citing the death of Handi, the Mutt wanted the hearing postponed. It was posted to Monday.

The Swamigal, from Hythandahalli in Kolar district of Karnataka, came to the Kumbakonam Mutt in 1982 as junior to Santhadeva Saranga Desika Swamigal. He became the Mutt head after Santhadeva Saranga Desika Swamigal passed away.

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