About 60 seers from North Karnataka attended a meet called by Sri Tontada Siddhalinga Swamiji against acquisition of land for Posco, Essar Steel and Adhunik Metaliks in Gadag district.

The convention held at Tontadarya College of Engineering in Gadag has sent a strong message to the State Government that the religious heads would not keep quiet against any acquisition process that snatch away agricultural lands of the farmers.

The seers have also formed ‘Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Kriya Samiti' to take up cause of farmers in the entire state.

By passing the resolution the religious heads sent a strong message that their agitation is not limited to opposing land acquisition for Posco and other industries in the region, which the government decided to rescind on Wednesday night.

Seers announced that they would be supporting the farmers in case the government went ahead with snatching away the fertile lands of the farmers in any district in the State.

Making a formal announcement at the convention, Tontada Siddhalinga Swamiji of Tontadarya Math, Gadag, said that the action committee would be formed shortly and would have farmers, agricultural experts, progressive and pro-farmer thinkers.

“The duties of religious heads are not just limited to performing pujas in the maths, temples or other religious places.

The seers should rush to help the people, when they are in dire need of it”, he said.

Annadanishwar Swamiji of Mundaragi, who headed the farmers' movement against the land acquisition in Gadag district along with Siddhalinga Swmiji, welcomed the government's decision to stall the acquisition process.

He also called on the religious to understand their social responsibilities properly and guide and support the common people when they were in distress.

Warning to CM

A day after the Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, announced that the land acquisition process in Gadag district would be cancelled, Tontada Siddhalinga Swamiji of Tontadarya Math, who led the farmers' movement against the acquisition, said that if the CM failed to according to his promise, then there would be a much intense agitation.

Addressing press persons in Gadag on Thursday, Siddhalinga Swamiji said that the Chief Minister had announced before the media that the acquisition process would be dropped and the Deputy Commissioner of Gadag had conveyed the CM's message to him personally.

“We, the seers believe that the chief minister will act according to his words and initiate the steps to drop the acquisition proceedings”.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW