Karnataka HC dismisses plea to stop Puthige Mutt seer from performing pooja at Udupi temple
Bengaluru: A division bench of the High Court of Karnataka has dismissed a petition seeking to prevent the pontiff of Puthige Mutt, Sugunendra Theertharu, from performing pooja at the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple.
The petition claimed that the pontiff had travelled to the USA in 1997 and since the crossing of oceans was forbidden for pontiffs of the Ashta Mutts (eight mutts), he should be restrained from touching the idol of Lord Krishna and be disqualified from performing the religious rituals there.
Dismissing the petition and refusing to entertain the issue, the HC said that it found nothing wrong in travelling abroad in a spiritual quest and referred to the examples of Emperor Ashoka sending his children to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism and Shankaracharya travelling across India popularising his philosophy.
Citing the poem, 'O Nanna Chetana', by Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, the HC said that the quest for spirituality was done by travelling. Stating that it has no role in the issue of the Swamiji travelling abroad, the HC dismissed the petition.
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As per the 'Paryaya' (rotation), the Puthige Mutt pontiff is scheduled to take over the worship of the Krishna Temple on January 18, 2024. The petition also claimed that Sugunendra Teertharu was not appointed by the Dhawandwa Mutt as per tradition.
"In the event the 4th Respondent (Sugunendra Teertharu) touches and worships Lord Krishna, it would affect the sentiments of the people at large who follow Madhwa at large, and the old tradition will be broken. In order to maintain sanctity and purity of the idol, the fourth respondent is ineligible to perform pooja for twin reasons namely, he has crossed the ocean and he is not appointed as Peethadhipati by Dhawandwa Mutt," the petition claimed.
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Sonam Wangchuk justifies Ladakh agitation, says will join talks with Centre if needed
Kargil (PTI): Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday defended the agitation for statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, and said he would not back out from joining talks with the government if the need for it arises.
Addressing a press conference, Wangchuk, who was released on March 14 after nearly six months of detention under the National Security Act, called for "open-minded and sincere" negotiations and striking a middle path.
He also expressed hope that the ongoing protests would lead to a positive and amicable solution.
"The demand for safeguards under the Sixth Schedule and statehood is based on democratic rights entailed in the Constitution and is completely legitimate. I have always maintained that for the last 5-6 years, we have been engaged in discussions with the government on these issues, yet no solution has emerged. This is because the other side seems to have adopted a rigid stance," Wangchuk told reporters here.
He stressed that the negotiations should be held with an open mind, in all sincerity.
"Neither side should insist 'we alone will win and you will lose'. What is needed is a middle path, a win-win approach. This is what I personally believe and have conveyed to many people, including the (agitating) leaders: the negotiations should move forward gradually," he said.
Wangchuk said they were ready to adopt such an approach, but it should not be one-sided.
He said the protesters have conveyed this thinking to fair-minded people across the country, and cautioned that if the upcoming talks once again result in their concerns being overlooked and only the other side's position prevails, it would prompt questions on why a more accommodative approach -- like that adopted by Ladakh's leaders -- is not being followed.
The government has not yet announced the date for the next round of talks.
The Ladakh-based activist expressed hope that the ongoing protests would lead to a positive and amicable resolution, enabling them to move forward and partake in the country's progress and nation-building.
Asked about charges under the National Security Act (NSA) that were levelled against him, he said, "If a person like me, who has always worked for the country -- whether in education, environment, or improving facilities for the armed forces -- can face such allegations, then what might not be said about others, not just in Ladakh but elsewhere as well?"
The activist said he was disturbed by a video related to his arrest that he came across recently, questioning how such claims could be made, especially as the contents "appeared" to be backed by evidence.
"If the allegations are true, I did not deserve to be free. But if they are false, they must be clearly refuted," Wangchuk said, cautioning against making sweeping accusations about Ladakh, which has been a pillar of India's defence, especially Kargil, whose people have supported the armed forces in every war and made significant sacrifices in the 1999 Kargil War.
Making such allegations will only create distance among people, he said, adding, "If mistakes are being made, they should be corrected."
Referring to the Centre's order revoking NSA charges against him, he said it is clearly stated that this step is being taken to create a conducive environment, to build trust, and to enable meaningful dialogue.
"So, we are waiting for things to move in that direction," he said.
On the protesters' next course of action, he said the leadership will look into the issue, but it is hoped that the time ahead will not be for anything else but celebration.
"If there is any absolute need, we will discuss and decide what steps should be taken," he said.
On the possibility of him joining the team holding dialogue with the home ministry, Wangchuk said, "Whatever I do, I do it out of necessity. Where I am not needed, and others could do it, I always prefer that they should take the lead. But if there is a need, I will not back down."
VIDEO | Ladakh: Activist Sonam Wangchuk says, "... We need open-minded dialogue with Centre to find a win-win or middle path solution..."
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(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/BwWQGx66I1
