Another dispute revolving around Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt
Tug-of-war for ‘presiding deity’ of Shirur mutt
Udupi, July 03: One more dispute is erupted in the Sri Krishna Mutt and if it is not sorted out harmoniously, there are all chances to move the court.
It is said that the dispute is erupted as the seers of remaining mutts led by Pejawar Mutt swamiji have put a condition before Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji of Shirur Mutt to accept the junior swamiji to his mutt before handing over the Presiding Deity (Anna Vittala) of the Shirur Mutt from the Sri Krishna Mutt.
Though Vidyadheesha Theertha Swamiji of the Paryaya Palimar Mutt accepted an emergency meeting led by Pejawar Mutt seer was conducted at Sri Krishna Mutt on Sunday, he said that no decision was taken there. As Pejawar seer was in a hurry, no decision was taken in the meeting. Another meeting would be held under the leadership of Pejawar seer in a couple of day and a final decision would be taken, the seer said.
When asked whether they have put a condition to accept the disciple for returning the Presiding Deity, the swamiji said that they have not taken any decision. This issue should be discussed in detail. He could say anything only when the decision was taken, he said.
Normally, the Presiding Deity of Shirur Mutt would be in Sri Krishna Mutt. The presiding deities of all mutts would be in Sri Krishna Mutt when the seers of those mutts were in Udupi and they would offer poojas there itself. Every day, the seers of eight mutts should offer pooja to the presiding deities given by Madhvacharya to his disciples. While the swamijis take tour, they would take the presiding deities along with them, the Paryaya swamiji said.
Since Shirur swamiji remain in Udupi in most of the time, the presiding deity would be in Sri Krishna Mutt. He only offers pooja to that presiding deity. Once the presiding deity was taken to Shirur Rathotsava and brought back to Sri Krishna Mutt, he said.
Shirur seer statement
Responding to the issue, Shirur Mutt swamiji said that they would solve the issue among themselves through dialogues. If not, he would move the court
Seers meeting
Except Kaniyoor mutt swamiji who is in tour and Puttige Seer who is in abroad, other five swamijis participated in the emergency meeting held on Sunday. It is said that when the Shirur mutt swamiji asked to handover the presiding deity, it was discussed in the meeting.
Sources in the mutt said that when Shirur seer was not feeling well a few days back, the presiding deity was handed over to Adamaaru Mutt seer to offer daily pooja as per the tradition. Later, Adamaaru Seer handed over the presiding deity to Palimaru seer who placed it in the Sri Krishna Mutt and was offering daily pooja.
Very recently, when it was asked to handover the presiding deity Anna Vittala, they were dilly-dallying to handover it and this has irked Shirur mutt seer. In view of this, an emergency meeting was called on Sunday. Now, everyone is curious to know the outcome of the next meeting to be held under the leadership of Pejawar seer. If the Shirur mutt seer denied the majority decision of the remaining seers of Ashta mutts, then it is certain that the issue would move the court.
Shirur mutt seer had kindled a controversy by declaring that he would contest the recently held Assembly election. Before that the swamiji also triggered a controversy and conflict with other seers by giving statements on personal life of the swamijis of Ashta mutts. Before dying down these disputes, another dispute erupted.
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Muslim Personal Law Board urges MPs to oppose Waqf Amendment Bill
New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 and has appealed to all secular political parties, including allies of the ruling BJP, to reject it in Parliament. The bill is set to be presented on April 2, Wednesday and the Board has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) not to support it “under any circumstances.”
The President of AIMPLB, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, called the proposed amendment unfair and unconstitutional, stating that it violates Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality and religious freedom.
According to him, the bill is part of a larger plan to weaken Waqf laws and make it easier for government authorities to seize Waqf properties.
He pointed out that, despite the existence of the Places of Worship Act, there is a growing trend of questioning the religious identity of mosques. If the amendment is passed, he warned, government officials such as Collectors and District Magistrates will have greater power to take control of Waqf properties. This, he said, could lead to an increase in illegal claims on these lands.
The Board President highlighted several key changes in the bill that he believes would harm the Waqf system. These include the removal of Waqf by-user, the lifting of exemptions from the Law of Limitation, and the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council.
Additionally, he criticized the proposed reduction in the powers of the Waqf Tribunal and the shift of dispute resolution to government officials rather than the Tribunal. He argued that these changes would strip Waqf properties of their legal protection and open the door for government control.
He also pointed out that similar legal protections exist for religious endowments of other communities, and targeting only Muslim Waqf properties would be discriminatory.
Maulana Rahmani expressed concern that such actions threaten India’s tradition of communal harmony and mutual respect between Hindus and Muslims. He stated, “our country is globally recognized for Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and for mutual respect for each other's religions, customs and festivals. However, unfortunately, the power of the nation is currently in the hands of those who seek to destroy this atmosphere of communal harmony and create anarchy and chaos.”
In his appeal, he urged MPs to stand with the Muslim community and oppose the bill, stating that millions of Muslims across India are counting on them to protect their rights.
