Hans News Service Bengaluru

A group of seers representing various communities in Karnataka on Wednesday appealed to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to provide adequate security to Sri Pranavanandaram Mahaswamiji, pontiff of the Brahmashri Narayanaguru Shakti Peetha Trust, citing alleged death threats made against him on social media.

The seers met the Chief Minister at his Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru and submitted a memorandum seeking immediate protection for the pontiff.

According to the memorandum, Sri Pranavanandaram Mahaswamiji, who is also associated with the Sri Sharanabasaveshwara Math in Haveri and the Brahmashri Narayanaguru Shakti Peetha in Kalaburagi, has allegedly been receiving threats following remarks he made at a community gathering held in Gokarna.

The petitioners stated that the seer had raised concerns regarding alleged injustice meted out to the Ediga and other backward communities and had urged that government grants be distributed equally among all communities.

Following his remarks, they alleged that certain organisations and leaders belonging to the Kuruba community at the state, district and taluk levels had planned protests against him.

The memorandum further alleged that threatening comments, including death threats, had been posted against the seer on television platforms and social media by some individuals.

Expressing concern over the situation, the seers urged the government to ensure that no communal or caste-based tensions arise and that the safety of Sri Pranavanandaram Mahaswamiji is safeguarded.

Among those who submitted the memorandum were seers representing different communities, including Sri Sangamananda Swamiji of the Sarvadharma Samaja, Sri Doddendra Swamiji of the Vishwakarma community, Sri Sardar Sevalal Swamiji of the Banjara community, Sri Basavamurthy Kumbara Guddayya Swamiji of the Kumbara community, Halliraya Natikar Swamiji of the Hoogar community, Sri Karunakara Swamiji of the Are Alemari community and Sri Marulashankara Swamiji of the Pinjara community.

The Chief Minister is yet to officially respond to the request for enhanced security for the seer.