PM Modi leads nation in paying tributes to Pejawar seer
Bengaluru: A host of leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condoled the death of Pejawar math head Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji on Sunday, recalling his service to society and hailing him as an epitome of humanity and kindness.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa were among the other prominent leaders who mourned the demise of the 88- year old seer who died in Udupi after a brief illness.
The Prime Minister said Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji would remain in the hearts and minds of lakhs of people for whom he was always a guiding light.
"A powerhouse of service and spirituality, he continuously worked for a more just and compassionate society. Om Shanti," he said in tweets.
Recalling his close association with the seer, Modi said: "I consider myself blessed to have got many opportunities to learn from Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji. Our recent meeting, on the pious day of Guru Purnima was also a memorable one. His impeccable knowledge always stood out. My thoughts are with his countless followers."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too condoled the death of the seer.
He tweeted, "Im sorry to hear of the passing of Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji of Pejawara Matha, Udupi. My condolences to all his followers around the world. Om Shanti."
In his message, Yediyurappa said: "The ancient Indian culture has suffered an irreparable loss in the passing away of Udupi Pejawar Math seer Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji.
His life and his contribution to our society will remain etched in memory forever. May Lord Sri Krishna give strength to the lakhs of his followers to bear the loss."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah too mourned the demise of Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji.
"Deeply pained to learn about the demise of Sri Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swami ji of the Pejawar mutt, Udupi. He was an epitome of humanity, kindness and knowledge.
His selfless contribution towards the welfare of people and society has no parallels," Shah tweeted.
Sharing a photograph of him with the seer on Twitter, Shah said: "Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji was an endless source of positivity. His teachings and thoughts will always continue to guide us. I was fortunate to have received his blessings. His passing away is an irreparable loss to the spiritual world. Condolences to his followers. Om Shanti."
Union Finance Minister and Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka Nirmala Sitharaman expressed her sorrow over the demise of the seer.
Recalling her association with the swamiji, she said, "Immensely blessed to have received his grace on several occasions. A life of dedication to spiritual upliftment and service for social causes."
Former chief minister Siddaramaiah too joined the mourners saying the seer had won the hearts of many people through his philosophical thoughts and honest speaking.
"His demise has saddened me & I offer my condolences to all his well-wishers & followers," Siddaramaiah tweeted.
JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy tweeted, "Pejawar seer was an extraordinary saint for being lively and socially progressive."
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
