Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 25: A number of persons including Nijagunananda Swamiji of Bailur Math in Belagavi district, most of whom are known for open defiance of traditions and airing of progressive ideas, have reportedly received threats to their lives. It is said that in a letter written by an unidentified person from Davanagere to Nijagunananda Swamiji, the Swamiji has been warned that he would be murdered on January 29.

The letter, it is said, also has threatened to eliminate several persons including former Karnataka chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy and cine actor, Prakash Raj. The others who are in the hit list of the sender of this letter are former Bajrang Dal leader Mahendra Kumar, Nidumamidi Sri Veerabhadra Channamalla Swmiji, actor Chetan Kumar, B T Lalita Nayak, Mahesh Chandra Guru, Prof Bhagwan, former media adviser to the chief minister Dinesh Ameen Mattu, journalist Agni Sridhar and Brinda Karat among others.

The letter was posted from Davanagere. The Swamiji has filed complaint in Jewargi police station. The Swamiji said that he has been engaged in creating rational thinking habit among the people. He felt that the rightist organizations, which are unable to appreciate his good work, have threatened to kill him. He said he will not be cowed down by such threats.

A number of people listed by those who posed the threat are identified with progressive thinkers. Many of them are openly critical of the recent Citizens Amendment Act and National Register of Population. Kumaraswamy and Prakash Raj have been vocally critical of the union government. Therefore many feel that the death threat has emanated out of anger created because of ideological differences.