Muthalik sets deadline to repair peeta ceiling

Addressing reporters, he said, “the government should repair the cave and allow devotees to have ‘darshana’ of ‘Datta Paduke’ atleast 10 days prior to the Datta jayanthi, or else, they should resign from the power.” A state-level agitation will be launched if the demands were not met, he warned.

A meet will be organised near the Peeta and future course action will be decided if devotees were not allowed to see the Datta Paduke.

“The BJP government, whcih came to power with Hindutva base, is now ignoring the religious sentiments of Datta devotees. They are ignoring the demands of devotees by not repairing the ceiling of Datta cave. Though the caves were damaged two years ago, it has not been repaired so far. The government is insulting the Hindu sentiments,” he said and ridiculed that Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who is busy safeguarding his chair, has no time to think of Datta Peeta.

Those BJP workers, who agitated against their own government seeking cabinet berth for Chikmagalur MLA, did not have the courtesy to hold protest for Datta Peeta’s cause, he said.

‘5,000 to participate’

Mutalik said that about 5,000 devotees from various districts in the State will participate in the Dattamala programme on October 22. The Dattamala procession will start at 9.30 am in the town, he added.

“We had requested the district adminstration to provide opportunity for the devotees to have darshana of paduke. However, they refuse to grant permission, but we still hope that the decision will be changed. There will be no issue if opportunity was given to have darshana of paduke,” he said.