Daijiworld Media Network – Bagalkot (SP)

Bagalkot, Dec 23: Speaking to reporters during his Padayatra through the dalits habitats and slums of the town on Thursday December 22 at a programme of interaction held at Shivanubhava Mantapa here, Pejavar Mutt Swamiji, Sri Vishweshateertha, invited  Nidumamidi Swamiji, who he said has cultivated the habit of criticizing the former frequently, for an open debate on the practice of Made Made Snana prevalent in Lord Subrahmanyeshwara Temple in Subrahmanya.

“Nidumamidi Swamiji should stop the practice of hurling unnecessary criticisms at me. I am prepared to provide suitable replies to each and every question he may pose on this issue. He should desist from passing remarks without knowing all the material facts. Even after I said I have no problem if a decision to ban the above practice is taken, people continue to target me,” he explained, expressing his disapproval.

He insisted that the Dalits have nothing to do with Made Made Snana, and the practice was not started by them. “This practice is age-old. Subrahmanya temple comes under the government, not my mutt. I   have no objection if the government takes a decision on Made Made Snana on its own,” he clarified.  He also added that all the Swamijis barring Nidumamidi, have been working together to erase the practice of untouchability, protection of Hinduism, and stopping religious conversions.

He wondered as to why no one questions the practice of having Iftar feast by Muslims together from a single utensil, where too food tasted by someone else is partaken by others. “There are certain customs even among Christians. People, who turn a blind eye towards butchering of thousands of animals at a stretch, are pointing fingers at only the Hindu practices. Why?” he questioned. He also announced setting up of a fund against religious conversion with a donation of one lac rupees from his mutt, to help those who face financial exigencies. He wanted the fund to be managed under Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and asked activists to collect funds for the purpose and carry forward acvities connected with it.