Kuruba community seer alleges temple was cleaned after his visit
Chitradurga: Ishwarananda Puri Swamiji, the pontiff of Kanaka Guru Peetha of shepherd Kuruba community has alleged that the authorities cleaned the state-controlled Vishnu temple after he visited it during 'Vaikuntha Ekadashi' in December 2023.
Speaking at a Kannada Literary Conference at Sanehalli Math in Hosadurga on Friday night, the pontiff alleged that there was caste-based discrimination against him at the Channakeshava temple at Bagur in Chitradurga district.
Kurubas are from the shepherd community, which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also belongs to.
''There's a Channakeshava temple at Bagur near here (Hosadurga). I came to know that they (temple authorities) cleaned the entire temple after I left it,'' the pontiff said during a conference of his community.
According to Swamiji, he went with Shantaveera Swamiji of Kunchitiga Math in Hosadurga.
Ishwarananda Puri further said he would have protested like 16th century AD saint-poet Kanakadasa, who too was prevented from entering Udupi Math.
''I would have protested had if I knew the temple came under the state Hindu religious endowment department,'' the pontiff said.
According to him, women from the priest's family were allowed inside the temple, while he was kept waiting outside despite the fact that he too was a pontiff of a Hindu monastery.
The Swami quipped that he has decided to go to all the temples as it helps cleaning all the shrines.
However, he told the gathering that henceforth he would not visit Channakeshava temple at Bagur in future.
Meanwhile, the priest of Channakeshava temple Srinivas told reporters in Bagur that no such incident took place as the pontiff has been visiting it every year.
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B'luru: Home Min. Dr. G. Parameshwara meets senior cops ahead of Chrismtas, New Year
Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara has directed police officers to initiate necessary measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in Bengaluru.
The Minister held a meeting with senior police officers at the city police commissioner's office on Monday and highlighted that last year a proper security arrangement was made for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. “Since Bengaluru is a city that attracts attention around the world, security should be taken very responsibly without neglecting anything,” he said.
“In the backdrop of Christmas celebrations, there should be constant contact with the intelligence department. Greater emphasis should be placed on women's safety. Care should be taken to prevent minor accidents. Those celebrating the New Year should not be harassed. They should be provided with safety. Action should be taken against miscreants who cause trouble,” he said.
He also emphasized that during this critical period, city police officers and staff should not be granted leave except in cases where it is absolutely necessary and unavoidable. He warned that if any kind of accident occurs during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the concerned DCP, ACP, and inspector would be held responsible, and no excuses would be entertained.
Parmeshwara advised seeking assistance from BBMP, BMTC, BMRCL, the Health Department, and the Fire Department. Precautions should be taken to prevent fire accidents. Authorities were instructed to monitor incidents involving drunkenness, bike-wheeling miscreants, and individuals with previous criminal records. He also suggested arranging proper parking facilities for vehicles.
State Director General of Police Alok Mohan, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayanand, Additional Commissioner of CCB Division Dr. Chandragupta and Deputy Commissioners of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police of all divisions were present during the meeting.
