Pejawar seer denies poisoning of Shiroor seer from Ashta Mutts
“Alcohol addiction, squabble of women might be a reason for his death”
Udupi, July 20: “I don’t know whether the poisoning has killed Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt or food poisoning. His fellows might have given it. Alcohol addiction and squabble between two women might also be the reason. Or he might have consumed food prepared in the utensils which were not tinned”, said Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt.
Following various allegations and disputes against the Ashta Mutts in the wake of Shiroor seer’s sudden death, the Pejawar seer on Friday gave clarifications.
There was no chance of poisoning from the Ashta Mutts. There were different versions and allegations related to the swamiji’s death. A proper investigation should be conducted to know the truth, he said.
Till now, Shiroor seer had relationship with a woman. But recently, he had relationship with another woman. Both the women might have clashed each other for the swamiji. Moreover, the swamiji was addicted to alcohol. This might have caused him problem. His brother told him that the swamiji had consumed food prepared in the utensils which were not tinned, Pejawar seer said.
Cooperation for investigation
When asked whether he would demand high level probe into the death of Shiroor seer, Pejawar seer said that the police could investigate freely. They could also interrogate him. He has no problem. But the police should investigate the issue without any prejudice. “I have the confidence that no swamiji of Ashta Mutts have any role in this incident. There is no doubt in it. If there is suspicion, let them investigate it and interrogate me too. It was not a murder. I have no doubt about it”, the swamiji said.
He was pained because of Shiroor seer’s death. He condoled his death yesterday itself. But the media have twisted his statements or telecast as they want. As there were pre-scheduled programmes in Hubli and Sirsi, he had been to there. So, he was unable to attend the last rites of the swamiji. He has confirmed this before the media. But his statements were not reported properly, he expressed his dissatisfaction.
He has love and affection
“Right from the beginning, I have love and affection about Shiroor seer. During my Paryaya period, I had never allowed him to offer pooja to the Lord Krishna. Because of this, he disliked me. I have told him that I had respect on him, but did not allow him to offer pooja to Lord Srikrishna. I had been to offer pooja during his Paryaya in 2010-12. But during my period, I did not allow him to offer pooja”, he said.
Recently, he had admitted to have children. As agreed in Sringeri Mutt, those who have children would lose eligibility to become swamijis. As it was against the Sanyasa, he did not allow him to offer pooja, he said.
Some good qualities
Shiroor seer has some good qualities too. He was treating all people irrespective of castes and religions equally. He was popular because of this reason. He was participating in various activities. He had interest in various art and cultural activities. Being an artiste, he was supporting the others. He was encouraging the students. He had completed the last two Paryayas. But he had addiction to alcohol. Much against to the Sanyasa, he had relationship with women. Even he had some rowdy qualities. He had admitted before him about those issues several times. But he did not mend his mistakes, Pejawar seer said.
Opposition from swamijis
“I have not instructed against giving Presiding Deity of the Shiroor Mutt. Interestingly, I was not present in the meeting where such a decision was taken. Other swamijis of the Ashta Mutts have taken the decision. His statement that ‘Ashta Mutts swamijis have children’ has hurt the swamijis. Rest of the swamijis were of the opinion that when Shiroor Swamiji himself admitted to have children, it was not possible to accept him as the swamiji. They were demanding him to accept his disciple (Shishya) to return the Presiding Deity”, he said.
There was allegation on me
“Swamijis could not poison anybody. Earlier, several swamijis had faced such allegations. It was common. Allegation was made against me also. Someone has alleged that I had relationship with women when I was young and I have children. He also threatened me to distribute 10,000 pamphlets against me. But such allegations would not become true. I have advised Shiroor Seer several times to give up bad habits. We have said it in open that Shiroor seer who is not following the Sannyasa Dharma was not the seer of Ashta Mutts. So, other seers of the Ashta Mutts did not go to have his darshan on Thursday. Paryaya Palimaru Seer has participated near Kanaka tower. Three swamijis have gone to Shiroor Moola Mutt later”, he said.
Written Constitution
When asked about having written constitution for the Sri Krishna Mutt, the Pejawar seer said that his earlier disciple Vishwa Vijetha had prepared a draft of the constitution. All Ashta Mutts seers had met and discussed it. But there was no consensus on the draft. As there was a difference, there was no progress in that issue, he said.
Appeal to seers
Pejawar seer said that he would appeal Vishwa Vijetha Swamiji, Kemaru Swamiji and Santosh Guruji against giving any controversial statements about the death of Shiroor seer.
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'Someone must be held accountable': HC converts civil suit on Goa nightclub tragedy into PIL
Panaji (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) saying "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy in which 25 people were killed.In a stern observation, Goa bench of the High Court of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ashish Chavan said the local panchayat had "failed to take suo motu cognisance" of the club and had taken "no action despite complaints."
The division bench directed the Goa government to file a detailed reply on the permissions granted to the nightclub.
The High Court, while fixing January 8 as the next date of hearing, pointed out that commercial operations were continuing in the structure despite it having been served a demolition order.
The original petition was filed after the December 6 tragedy by Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar, the owners of the land on which the nightclub was operating.
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Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, the lawyer representing the petitioner, was made amicus curiae in the matter and has been asked to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.
In their petition, Amonkar and Divkar highlighted "the alarming pattern of statutory violations that have remained inadequately addressed despite multiple complaints, inspections, show-cause notices, and even a demolition order".
They contended that these violations posed "immediate threats to public safety, ecological integrity, and the rule of law in the state of Goa."
Investigations by multiple agencies into the nightclub fire have revealed various irregularities, including lack of permissions to operate the nightclub.
The Goa police arrested five managers and staff members of the club, while co-owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra have been detained in Thailand after they fled the country.
