Karnataka - Bidar   

Veerashaiva leaders oppose `Kalyana Parva'

By Our Staff Correspondent

BIDAR, APRIL 28. Several Veerashaiva organisations have criticised the plans of Mathe Mahadevi to hold "Kalyana Parva," a religious festival, at Basavakalyan saying that she has undermined the philosophy of Basaveshwara by changing his name in a book on his Vachanas some years ago. "Mathe Mahadevi has not only acted in a manner unbecoming of Basaveshwara's followers, but also tried to modify Veerashaivism according to her whims and fancies," alleged Basavaraj Bharashetty, president of Basava Kendra, on Wednesday.

He told presspersons that the State Government and the district administration had never taken note of the opposition to such celebrations among the common people. "We have been opposing functions organised by Mathe Mahadevi in the district, especially Kalyan Parva, on the grounds that a non-believer in Basaveshwara's philosophy like her has no right to organise celebrations in his name. There was a serious law and order problem when she tried to organise Kalyan Parva two years ago and police had to baton-charge protesters. Despite such a tense situation, the district administration continues to permit such unnecessary celebrations," Mr. Bharashetty said. He sought a ban on the entry of Mathe Mahadevi into the district to "maintain law and order and to put a check on assaults on Veerashaivism by self-styled God men and women''.The youth wing of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has also sought a ban on such activities by Mathe Mahadevi, which could "hurt the religious sentiments of the followers of Veerashaivism."

In a press release, the president of the mahasabha's district unit, Rajshekar Swami Gorta, appealed to people not to participate in the functions organised by Mathe Mahadevi. He alleged that she had tried to negate the importance of the Anubhava Mantapa built by Basaveshwara by building one on her own.

The archaks of the Basaveshwara Temple have also threatened to lead an agitation against the celebrations.

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