Sir, It is unfortunate that a crisis is brewing between the two learned seers-Pejawar Seer and Puttige Seer - over the 'right to perform Pooja' after having 'crossed the seas'! I would like to narrate a similar incident which took place 55 years ago. My father, a learned scholar, was the first Fulbright Fellow from India to go to the US in 1946.He returned from the US in 1949 by sea. In 1952 he wanted to perform the Upanayanam of my brother and me. The Head of Sathyadhyana Peetha, Sri Mahuli Gopalacharya, who was also the Guru of the present Pejawar seer, objected to my father directly sitting with us and doing the 'upadesha' since he had 'crossed the seas'! My brother and I put forth the same argument which is being put forth by the Puttige Seer. However, Sri Gopalacharya was adamant but to compensate for his harsh stand, he himself came and performed the Upanayanam.
 
The crossing of seas does not make anyone either impure or unholy. These are man-made rules. One should be clean, pure in thought and be a firm believer of the Almighty. The Pejawar Seer, who is known to be modern and broadminded, should be more flexible and refrain from controversies over such issues. The Puttige Seer should climb down and be more accommodative and less adamant. His main interest should be to spread the preachings/teachings of Madhwacharya rather than perform Sri Krishna Pooja amidst a plethora of objections and counter arguments!
 
 M.V.NAHUSHARAJ
Palmsprings Layout, 
Bangalore