Seers form action committee on land

A resolution to this effect was passed at a meeting of the heads of more than 60 mutts in the City on Thursday.  

Thontada Siddalinga Swami said the committee would be formed in a few days, comprising agriculture experts, pro-farmer thinkers and other like-minded people.

Being seers does not mean only offering prayers to God, but also fighting to protect the people, land, water and language of the land, the Swami said. The panel would launch agitations against the government’s efforts to acquire fertile lands in any part of the State, the seer said.

Jayamrutyunjaya Swami of the Panchamsali Mutt, Annadanishwara Swami of Mundargi, Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swami of Koppal, Mahanta Swami of Chittaragi Samsthana Mutt in Ilkal, Siddarama Swami of Belgaum, Gandhian Surendra Koulagi and others attended the meeting.

Warns of agitation

Thontada Siddalinga Swami has warned that a severe agitation will be launched if Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa goes back on his words that steel plants will not be set up in Gadag district.

The seer said that the chief minister had sent word to him through the deputy commissioner and Yeddyurappa‘s statement had been publicised through the media.

Yet, if the government goes ahead with acquiring land for the steel plants, agitations will be launched, Siddalinga Swami said. The seer said the decision to stop the land acquisition process should be notified in the gazette. He refused to set a deadline for the government.