Protest against Pejawar seer for 'anti-democratic' comments

The 83rd Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana on Sunday saw a few like-minded litterateurs stage a protest against a statement issued by Udupi Pejawar Mutt seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami that there is a need for modification of Indian Constitution.

The agitators, who gathered in front of the dais during the session 'Samakalina Sandharba: Bahutvada Savalugalu', raised slogans against the seer for his statements seeking modification of the Indian Constitution during Dharma Samsad organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), in Udupi.

The protesters demanded banishing Vishwesha Teertha Swami from the country by claiming that the seer is "anti-Constitution" and his statement is "anti-democratic". Meenakshi Bali, one of the agitators, said that the seer has proved that he has no faith in democracy and the Constitution and has been misleading the people by issuing such controversial statements.

"The swami is trying to implement 'Chaturvarna' in the state by organising Dharma Samsad and the Samsad is an attempt to control Dalits and women," they alleged. The protesters stated that leaders participating in the Dharma Samsad did not have time to discuss the death of writer M M Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh who were shot dead, but chose to pass resolutions on cow and goats.