Date:05/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/05/stories/2007040506360500.htm

Karnataka - Bidar

`Zilla panchayat president trying to malign seer'

Staff Correspondent

OPPOSITION: Members of the Dharma Samrakshana Samiti staging a protest in front of the zilla panchayat office in Bidar on Wednesday.

Bidar: Members of the Dharma Samrakshana Samiti staged a dharna in Bidar on Wednesday, alleging that zilla panchayat president Anil Bhusare forced the police to register a case of rape against Hulsoor Math seer Shivanand Swamiji.

They staged a dharna in front of the zilla panchayat office after they were prevented from entering its premises by the police. They demanded the resignation of Mr. Bhusare.

Congress leader D.K. Sidram said that Mr. Bhusare was trying to malign the math and the seer by supporting "false allegations."

They demanded action against Mr. Bhusare's personal assistant Rajkumar Sheelvant who was "part of the conspiracy against the swamiji." Mr. Sidram accused the police of having acted in haste. They should have looked into the character of the complainants before registering a case, he said.

"The police are playing with the sentiments of the people. They do not

know how much respect people have for the swamiji," BJP leader Revanasiddappa Jalade said.