Athi Hindulida Mathadheeshara Mahasabha Backs Veerendra Heggade
-Mangaluru: Athi Hindulida Mathadheeshara Mahasabha, Rajya Sabha member and Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala’s Dharmadhikari came out in support of Dr D Veerendra Heggade and alleged that attempts were being made to tarnish the image of the temple and Dharmadhikari with what he described as “baseless allegations”.
Mahasabha seers came to Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala on Friday, offered prayers and then met Veerendra Heggade.
Addressing reporters, Mahasabha State President Dr Sri Pranavanandaram Mahaswamiji said that the organization has unanimously decided to support Dr Heggade during Chintan Shibir held in Kalaburagi on June 27 and 28.
More than 50 priests representing the most backward communities attended the camp. He said the Mahasabha later sent a letter to Dr Heggade expressing its support.
Pranavananda said that the seers were deeply pained by the controversies surrounding Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala and his Dharmadhikari.
“We did not come forward because someone asked us to do so. We felt it was our responsibility to stand with an institution that has been serving the backward and most backward communities for decades,” he said.
He credited Dharmasthala for helping thousands of poor families through initiatives in education, livelihood and social welfare.
“Many people have rebuilt their lives with the support extended by Dharmasthala. We cannot remain silent when such an institution is targeted,” he said, adding that similar attacks on religious institutions had taken place in the past and expressing confidence that Dr Heggade would face the present situation with courage.
Mahasabha also plans to organize programs promoting Dharmasthala. Pranavananda said a Bhakta Sangama with around one lakh devotees from backward communities is being considered. He added that two or three seers have offered to conduct the padayatra and the final decision on both the programs will be taken shortly.
Addressing Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Pranavananda urged the government to clear what he called confusion on the issue.
He said the Prime Minister, whom he described as a devotee of Lord Manjunatha, should ensure that the concerns of millions of devotees are addressed.
Reiterating his opposition to the formation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), he urged the government to take strict action against those responsible for creating fear and confusion among devotees.
