Extend faith-based quota to Hindus: Pejawar seer

Pejawar Mutt seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami said on Monday that he was not anti-Dalit, but that the "religious reservation" given to minorities should be extended to the Hindus.

Speaking to mediapersons, the seer said he was being portrayed as an enemy of Dalits and Muslims, which was not true.

The seer clarified that he had not sought for the amendment of the Constitution or overhauling of the Constitution, which would surely mean an insult to Dr B R Ambedkar, who framed the Constitution.

He declined to comment on whether he was for or against reservation for linguistic minorities. However, it was not required everywhere, except in the state's border areas.

The seer said writers and intellectuals were protesting against him just for the sake of it and had nothing to do with his statements as such. He said Dailts were innocent and were misguided by intellectuals.

He demanded that temples should be given the autonomy similar to that for churches and mosques.

The seer said the resolutions passed at the Dharma Samsad would be submitted to the central government.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,  as an ardent follower of Basavanna, should bring in a law to ban cow slaughter, he said.