The ‘Punyasmarane’ programme of the seer of Siddaganga mutt Shivakumara Swami, who passed away on January 21, turned into a platform for leaders across the political spectrum to compete with each other in pledging their devotion to the seer and thereby showcase their commitment to the Lingayat community.
The programme saw political leaders, who have been continually engaged in a war of words over the last few weeks, share a common stage. On the dais, among others, were Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who have of late not been seeing eye-to-eye despite being coalition partners, and BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa, who is said to be constantly working to bring down the coalition government. Hinting at the possibility of being a part of a government that will be formed at the Centre after the coming Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Kumaraswamy raised the issue of conferring the Bharat Ratna on Shivakumara Swami and called upon the people to “create a conducive atmosphere to confer the award on the seer”. In his inaugural speech, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that in the next six to seven months, he would get the power to confer the award on the seer.
He took credit for being the first to recommend the seer’s name to the President for the Bharat Ratna in 2006, when he was the Chief Minister. He had conferred on him the Karnataka Ratna award, he added. Interestingly, BJP leader V. Somanna gave credit to both Mr. Kumaraswamy and Mr. Yeddyurappa for conferring the Karnataka Ratna on the seer.
He also pointed out that Mr. Siddaramaiah had ordered installing the photograph of the 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara in all the government offices when he was the Chief Minister. Going a step further, Mr. Kumaraswamy said in his office he had a photograph of Basaveshwara and of the seer, to which he offers prayers every day.
He also assured the devotees of naming a programme in the name of the seer so that he would be remembered forever. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara addressed the Chief Minister as the “Janapriya mukhyamantri”(popular Chief Minister).
Mr. Yeddyurappa, who sat between Dr. Parameshwara and Home Minister M.B. Patil, remained reclusive and left the stage as soon as the CM and Dy. CM left the programme. All the political leaders, except Mr. Yeddyurappa, emphasised that the prestige of the Bharat Ratna would have been enhanced had it been conferred on the seer.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, who arrived late, did not sit with either the Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister. However, while he was walking towards the podium, Mr. Kumaraswamy stopped him and they had a small chat. He referred to Mr. Siddaramaiah as “a guide” in his speech.
Mr. M.B. Patil and former Minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who were on either side of the fence on the issue of getting a separate religion tag for the Lingayat community, sat beside each other and were seen chatting.
More than one lakh devotees visited Siddaganga mutt in Tumakuru on Thursday to pay their respects to the 111-year-old seer. Besides leaders, seers from several mutts were part of the event. Food was served in more than 13 counters to the devotees in areca plates and plantain leaves. of the mutt, Dr.Shivakumara Swami who passed away on January 21st.
Doctors who treated the seer were felicitated by the new seer of Siddaganga mutt, Siddalinga Swami, during the programme. Gastroenterologist of BGS Hospital, Bengaluru, and Dr. Ravindra, and neurosurgeon Venkataramana were felicitated.