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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Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm as BJP members protest slogans against PM Modi at Congress rally
New Delhi (PTI): Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Monday amid uproar from Treasury benches over slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress rally in Delhi on Sunday.
Immediately after papers were laid in the Upper House, Leader of the House and Union Minister J P Nadda condemned the Congress for the slogans, saying they reflected the party's thinking.
"With pain and an agitated heart, I want to share before the House that yesterday in the Congress party rally, slogans were shouted 'Modi teri kabr khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi' (Modi's grave will be dug.. if not today, then tomorrow). This type of slogan reflects the Congress party's thinking and mindset," Nadda said.
Describing the slogans as "condemnable," Nadda said Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the nation.
"Congress has stooped to a low level in politics, and it is unimaginable," he added.
The remarks triggered an uproar in the House, prompting Deputy Chairman Harivansh to adjourn proceedings till 12 noon.
