DK Shivakumar urges Centre to confer Bharat Ratna on late Shivakumara Swami
Vijayapura, Feb 3: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday requested the Union government to confer Bharat Ratna posthumously on Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami.
Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress state president, put forth the demand hours after the Centre announced conferring the highest civilian award on former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani.
Speaking to the reporters after offering prayers at the Basavanna temple in Basavana Bagewadi, he said, "I welcome Bharat Ratna for Advani, but I urge the Centre to announce the coveted award to Shivakumara Swami. The seer has made an immense contribution to humanity with initiatives like Anna Dasoha (free commensalities)."
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Shivakumar said the state government had written to the Centre in the past to give Bharat Ratna to the seer, but that the decision is left to the Union government.
The deputy chief minister said Shivakumara Swami was called the "Walking God" and was highly revered by the dominant Lingayat community of Karnataka for his charitable works.
The spiritual leader died at the age of 111 in January 2019 in Tumakuru where his Math was located.
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UP: Govt official suspended for entering Vindhyavasini temple wearing shoes
Mirzapur (UP), Oct 6: An assistant development officer (agriculture) in the district was suspended for allegedly entering the Vindhyavasini temple wearing shoes and neglecting his official duties during the Navratri festival.
According to an official statement, Prateek Kumar Singh, who was also serving as a Sector Magistrate during the festival, was caught by city MLA Ratnakar Mishra while visiting the temple.
Mishra reprimanded Singh for his inappropriate behaviour and forced him to leave the temple premises, the statement said.
Upon learning about the incident, Mirzapur district magistrate directed the suspension of the ADO. Acting on the DM's instructions, Deputy Director (Agriculture) Vikas Patel suspended Singh.
Singh, who was on duty, visited the temple wearing shoes, violating temple protocol and neglecting his responsibilities, according to the statement issued by the Information Department.
