Date:02/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/02/stories/2007050207760500.htm

Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad

Jain swamiji's remarks defended

Staff Correspondent

HUBLI: Jain religious head Tarun Sagar Maharaj on Tuesday took exception to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy not attending Jain religious functions. Addressing presspersons here, he said the Chief Minister had "failed" to keep his promises to attend Jain religious functions.

This had hurt the community, he said.

He defended the remarks of Acharya Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj of Navagraha Tirtha of Varur against the Chief Minister for not attending a religious function recently. However, the swamiji said that he would not comment on the apology tendered by Acharya Gunadhar Nandi.

The swamiji urged the Jain community leaders to lead a delegation to the Chief Minister to clarify certain issues.