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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Ex-PM Devegowda warns opposition of electoral losses if they continue to allege 'vote chori'
New Delhi (PTI): Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda on Monday said the Opposition parties would "suffer" if they continue to raise allegations of "vote chori" and create suspicion in the minds of voters by blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Rajya Sabha, he criticised the Opposition for making a mockery about the Prime Minister "in the streets and on the public platform".
"This (India) is a very big country. A large country. Congress may be in three states. Remember my friends please, by using the words 'vote chori' you are going to suffer in the coming days. You are not going to win the battle," Devegowda said, referring to the Opposition members.
He asked what the Opposition is going to earn by "blaming Narendra Modi's leadership and creating a suspicion in the mind of the voters" through the claims of "vote chori".
"What has happened to their minds? Let them rectify," Devegowda said.
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The former prime minister said that during his over seven decades of public life, he has never raised such issues of vote theft despite facing defeat in elections.
He also cited a letter written by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru regarding inclusion of "18,000 votes" (voters) in Kerala.
"Why I am telling this (because) during the Nehru period also, there were certain lapses in the electoral system," said Devegowda, who was the prime minister between June 1, 1996 and April 21, 1997.
He said that the Congress party faced defeat in the recent Bihar elections despite raising the issues of mistakes in the electoral rolls.
"What happened after that even after so much review (of voters list). Think (for) yourself! You got six MLAs," the senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader said.
Devegowda questioned the Opposition as to why they want to make allegations against the prime minister on the issue of the voters list?
"Election Commission is there. Supreme Court is there. The Election Commission has given direction to all the state units to rectify all these things," he said.
Devegowda said people of the country have full confidence in Narendra Modi's government and it will come back to power after the next Lok Sabha elections as well.
K R Suresh Reddy, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party's Rajya Sabha member from Telangana, said that electoral reforms are the backbone for a healthy democracy.
He said a large and diverse nation like Indi needs clean electoral rolls.
Asserting that strict re-verification should not become a mechanism for exclusion, Reddy said no eligible voter should lose their right to vote simply because accessing paperwork is difficult.
He said while the concern definitely is on the voters' exclusion, "we should also be equally concerned about the percentage of voting."
"What is happening in voting today? Once the election ends, the drama begins. The biggest challenge that the Indian democracy has been facing in spite of two major Constitutional amendments has been the anti-defection. Anti-defection is the name of the game today, especially in smaller states, especially where the legislatures are small in number," Reddy said.
The senior BRS leader suggested creation of a parliamentary committee "which would constantly look into the defection" and "ways and means to cutting that".
AIADMK's M Thambidurai raised the issues related to election campaigning.
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"Election campaigns are one of the important election processes. In that, political parties must be given the proper chance to campaign," he said and cited problems faced by his party in Tamil Nadu in this regard.
Thambidurai said political parties were facing hardships in Tamil Nadu to conduct public meetings and to express their views to the public.
YSRCP's Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy stressed on bringing electoral reforms at both the state and national levels.
He also suggested replacing Electronic Voting Machines with paper ballots in all future elections.
"EVM may be efficient but can't be trusted. Paper ballot may not be efficient but can be trusted. You need trust in democracy," Reddy added.
