Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Mar 8: In a press statement, Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejavar Mutt here has noted that the people living in and around Nandikoor near Padubidri are suffering a lot because of the environmental pollution created because of the apathy of the official managing Udupi Power Corporation Ltd’s thermal power plant there. He said that a non-violent form of protest will be undertaken against the company if the it fails to take remedial steps.
“The Raita Sangha members, who gate-crashed into a meeting organized by me to discuss about the pros and cons of the project on March 4, raised a din. My fight against the power plant will continue, though not as a leader of the fight undertaken by Raita Sangha. As a religious leader, head of a Mutt and a sincere citizen of this country, I will continue to fight the injustices of the company,” he clarified.
The Swamiji explained that the company officials had contacted him to furnish full details, and that with the intention of avoiding any closed-door parleys, he had asked them to present their explanations at the March 4 meeting. He clarified that he was about to announce about his action plan against the company at the said meeting, but that the plan was foiled because of the intervention of hundreds of Raita Sangha members, although only a few of them had been invited to the meeting. He said that an interaction programme in the presence of environmentalists, UPCL officials and media persons, keeping out the Raita Sangha, will be convened within a few days to examine all aspects concerning the plant.
The Swamiji said he will insist for the closure of the company until a solution to the problems caused by fly ash is found. He said he believes in democratic principles of mediation and interactions, citing that even Lord Rama, Srikrishna and Gandhiji had laid emphasis on repeated dialogues and efforts to find an amicable solution without frictions, till the last minute. He said he will stick by values, principles and policies, in his fight against the company, and believed that the people of the coast would support him.
In the meantime, state convener of Karnataka State BJP Fishermen’s Forum, Ramachandar Bykampady, has condemned the action of Vijayakumar Hegde and his followers in illegally entering Pejavar Mutt in the guise of UPCL discussions, and behaving indecently and disrespecting Pejavar Swamiji. He said that the Pejavar Mutt has historical connection with the fishing community, and that the community is determined to protect his honour. He demanded for a public apology from Vijayakumar Hegde in this connection.
He said he supports the Swamiji’s fight against UPCL, and demanded for the closure of the company if it fails to address environmental issues immediately.