Karnataka - Mysore   

Kalam’s decision raises eyebrows

MYSORE: The former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s decision of cancelling his visit to Mysore on June 1 has raised eyebrows.

He was expected to participate in various programmes, including foundation stone laying ceremony and releasing books at JSS Ayurveda Medical College and valedictory programme of Avadoota Datta Peetha.

Though the executive officer of the JSS Maha Vidya Peetha clarified in a press note issued here on Tuesday that Mr. Abdul Kalam had cancelled his visit in view of his pressing engagements, the development is being viewed as an alibi found by Mr. Kalam in view of the controversy surrounding the arrest and release of Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji on May 25.

Sources said that on receiving information on the controversy surrounding a land deal involving the pontiff, Mr. Kalam reconsidered his decision to visit to Mysore as that would embarrass the officials here.

Meanwhile, people of Mysore are still at loss to understand what made the police to arrest the pontiff on the day of counting, which coincided with his 66th birthday. However, according to the police authorities, there was a reason for them to arrest the pontiff on that day.

After the police inspector and investigating officer of the Nazarbad Police Station recorded the statement of Deputy Commissioner Manivannan on a complaint failed by Anil Kumar against the pontiff with regard to the land dispute on May 22, the latter sent a letter to Commissioner of Police Raveendranath on May 23.

In his letter, the Deputy Commissioner stated that he found discrepancies during his meeting with the complainant and the ashram’s representatives and ordered for a survey. However, the ashram officials approached him and tried to stop the survey. After considering the facts, he concluded that there were no reason for them to oppose the survey and passed “speaking order” for re-survey.

The survey report brought out the fact that survey numbers had been interchanged which proved the claim made by complainant. At the same time, he was at loss to understand why the ashram’s representatives were bent on not allowing the survey to happen. By the virtue of the Survey Department’s findings, he ordered to issue a show-cause notice to the ashram’s representatives to explain why “incorrect” information was given while applying for building permission.

Based on his letter, the Police Commissioner sent summons to Ganapathi Sachchidanandaswamiji to appear before him on May 24. According to a police official, the swamiji refused to take the notice and the officials, who went to serve the notice, were made to wait for three hours. The swamiji, through his legal counsel, sought time till June 2. When the swamiji refused to appear, there was no other way except arresting him and questioning, the official said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Thermal power plant row takes centre stage
Action sought against three candidates for producing false caste certificate
I am not perturbed by defeat: Deve Gowda
Pourakarmikas threaten agitation
Kalam’s decision raises eyebrows
Forest officials come under fire
Cutting down on their daily needs

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu