'Datta Peetha issue to be raised in Dharma Samsad'

Briefing reporters, Bajrang Dal leader Manjunath Tudukuru condemned the move of the district administration to deny permission to Datta Ratha Yatra.

The administration has behaved like an agent of the government, he said.

Manjunath further said that the issue of Datta Peetha will be discussed during the Dharma Samsad in Udupi. Seers will decide on the next move.

He urged that the Datta Peetha should be completely devoted to Hindus and should also be announced as a religious shrine of Hindus. "Fights are being held for the last two decades, to press the demand. Also, permission should be granted to perform 'Trikala pooja', by appointing a priest. The tombs in Datta Peetha should be translocated to Nagenahalli," demanded Manjunath.

He further stated that the Supreme Court has directed the state government to resolve the Datta Peetha issue through talks. "Accordingly, the government has formed a committee headed by a Justice. But, the committee has neither visited the Datta Peetha nor collected people's opinion on the issue till today," said Manjunath.