Siddeshwara Swami declines Padma award

Siddeshwara Swamiji of Jnanayogashrama has "respectfully returned" the Padma Shree award for him announced by the Centre.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the seer, while expressing gratitude for selecting him for the award, has said that he is a spiritual being and does not need an award. "This honour should be conferred on people who have great accomplishments to their credit in various fields. Hence I am returning this award with respect. Don't think otherwise," says the letter, signed by the seer.

The seer is now camping in Kalaburagi. It is learnt that he invited Rajya Sabha member Basavaraj Patil Sedam and handed over the letter to him, asking him to give it to the prime minister.