Mangalore: Have done maximum to help trace Basadi idol thieves - Jain Swamiji
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 10: Following reports that the Jain community was miffed with Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji, the head of Moodbidri Jain Math, for travelling abroad while the theft of the ancient idols had taken place in the Math last month, the Swamiji in a communication to daijiworld clarified the matter.
Speaking to daijiworld over the phone, Sri Charukeethi Swamiji said that the incident of theft had hurt him deeply and he has done everything in his power to help the police catch the culprits.
"There are three key holders of the Math including the trustees, and all are working with sincerity and responsibility. However, the thieves used advanced technology to steal the idols. With the help of the phone records, the accused was identified. We even complained to the police and spoke to ministers like Dr Veerappa Moily, Ramanath Rai and Abhaychandra Jain, MP and MLAs, and prominent community leaders like Dr D Veerendra Heggade. With their help and support the accused were caught," he said.
"This apart, two committees - the national advisory committee and local advisory committee - were formed to trace the accused with the help of the police," he said.
Regarding his foreign tours, he said, "I am the only swamiji from the Digambar sect here and I go abroad for the sake of my community. There are 59 centres abroad and I need to go there to perform community rituals. It is the community that send me and the community that receives me at the places I go."
He added, "Twice a year, in July and September, I need to travel abroad. I am a member of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) and of peacenet.org. The Vatican too sends wishes on festive occasions. I have used all my resources and even talked to my disciples with regard to the theft case. Even the American senate has assured to help with this case.
"We request everyone to cooperate in solving this case," he said.