Date:06/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/06/stories/2008100652840300.htm

Karnataka

Kumaraswamy asked to apologise

Staff Correspondent

He is said to have spoken ill of the Siddaganga seer

Protest rally to be taken out today
It will start at Jayadeva Circle

DAVANGERE: The Davangere unit of the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha has strongly condemned the remarks allegedly made against the Siddaganga Swamiji, by Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

The mahasabha said Mr. Kumaraswamy should not have spoken ill of the swamiji while settling political scores with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa. The mahasabha has decided to take out a rally here on Monday protesting against the ‘unfair and derogatory’ remarks against the swamiji.

G. Shivayogappa, president of the mahasabha, and general secretary Nagabhushan Toudur, have in a statement here on Sunday alleged that Mr. Kumaraswamy had tried to “defame” the swamiji as well as the Lingayat community. People of the community were hurt by his statements. They strongly object to Mr. Kumaraswamy’s “attempt to divide the people along the lines of caste.” “Mr. Kumaraswamy, who calls himself a socialist, should not have stooped to the level of criticising a swamiji, who provides food to over 10,000 students of various communities free of cost as well as educational facilities,” they said.

‘Not confined’

The activities of the Siddaganga seer were not confined to any one particular caste or community, the mahasabha said and added that he was only doing good for society. It was silly to believe that the swamiji was against Mr. Kumaraswamy for declining to inaugurate the Dasara celebrations while he was in power. Attendance or non-attendance at various functions depended on various factors, they added.

Mr. Kumaraswamy had often asked the swamis of various religious institutions not to “participate in political activities,” they said and alleged that he was surreptitiously trying to divide the people. The members, however, clarified that it was the duty of the head of any religious institution to correct his followers in case any mistakes were committed by them. Mr. Kumaraswamy’s non-acknowledgement of such a role was unacceptable, they said and urged him to apologise. The protest march will begin from Jayadeva Circle at noon.