Kumaraswamy bats for Bharat Ratna for Siddaganga seer

Bengaluru: As a bid to woo the politically and numerically strong Lingayat community in Karnataka ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday requested the followers of Dr Shivakumara Swamiji to play a major role for getting the Bharat Ratna conferred on the late Seer.

Addressing a huge gathering at Siddaganga Mutt at Tumakuru during the 11th-day ritual to mark the passing away of the seer said “We honestly want to honour your sentiments. I am convinced that you will intensify your respect for Parama Poojya Swamiji and you will enable us to felicitate Swamiji with the Bharat Ratna.”

“Today, there have been some flaws in giving the Bharat Ratna awards but if you empower us with an opportunity, we will honour your wish by giving the award to the Swamiji,”  Kumaraswamy said.

Harping on the public demand to honour the Swamiji with the Bharat Ratna, Kumaraswamy said that he is very confident that in all likelihood they will get the opportunity to give Bharat Ratna to the Swamiji in the next 6-7 months. He has alresdy conveyed the message subtly, he informed.

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah also echoed Kumaraswamy’s views nad said that Swamiji was a Vishwa Ratna (a gem of the world).

The 111-year-old seer, who was addressed as the Walking God, died on January 21. 

Known for his philanthropy, the Swamiji turned his Siddaganga Mutt into a major education centre for students of underprivileged communities, built schools and hostels and started feeding hundreds of students free of cost, much before the mid-day meal programme was conceived by governments.