Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Sep 24: While Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji of Sonda Swarnavalli Math predicted that the Ramachandrapur Math and the state government will suffer loss of face in the Gokarna temple transfer issue, ex-chief minister Bangarappa has charged the government with transferring landed property of the Math to Sri Raghaveshwara Swamiji and falsely stating thereafter that nothing of the sort had been done.
Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday September 23, Swarnavalli Swamiji said that the government has violated the interim order of the state High Court by transferring the temple administration to Ramachandrapur Math, at a time when the court was seized of the matter. If the case filed in the court against the temple transfer is decided in favour of the petitioners, the government and the Ramachandrapur Math will face severe loss of face, he warned.
As per the historians and legal experts, there are no historical or mythological records to say that Gokarna temple belonged to Ramachandrapur Math in the past. Most of the Maths are unhappy over the issue and they do not concur with the government's stand that Gokarna Math belongs to a single Math. "We are opposed to the government administering that temple, but we are agreeable if it is handed over to the joint leadership of a committee of Swamijis by getting the advice of Swamiji of Sringeri Math," he clarified.
In another press conference held at the Samajwadi Party (SP) office here on Tuesday, state SP president and ex-chief minister S Bangarappa displayed records to prove that the fixed assets of Gokarna Math were transferred to the Ramachandrapur Math swamiji. The BJP government committed a mistake by not taking into confidence other Swamijis before taking the transfer decision. Rural development minister Shobha Karandaje had said on September 20 that the Ramachandrapur Math Swamiji had not transferred properties to his name. But records prove that properties were transferred on September 2, he revealed. He demanded cancellation of the government notification in this regard, to stop the Swamiji from annexing the temple property.
He also reiterated his demand for the dismissal of the state government for its failure to protect minorities. Further, he criticized the decision of the chief minister in appointing Diwakar, a Sangh Parivar activist, as the legal advisor to the chief minister, although there are several advocates including the advocate general to advice the government on legal matters.