Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Sunday came out strongly against the views held by Pejawar pontiff Vishwesha Theertha on extending constitutional guarantees ensured to minorities and backward classes to majority communities.
He also said that these comments were intended to “sow the seeds of caste and communal hatred”.
“The directive principles of the Constitution guaranteed equality for every religion. Only those who have no faith in the Constitution are advocating changes to it,” the CM said without naming the seer.
"I have the highest respect for the Constitution.There is no need for changes in the Constitution. We have accepted and adopted the Constitution. It has enshrined equality for all religions, advocates religious harmony and social justice. Some are trying to sow the seeds of caste and communal hatred which is not a healthy development,” the CM added in his speech on the occasion at Constitution Day in the state capital.
The pontiff's statement also sparked protests by activists and writers on Sunday. Some post-graduate students of the Bangalore University had also filed a complaint against the seer at Bengaluru's Jnanabharathi Police Station.
Activists held a demonstration in Mysuru at the 83rd Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana saying the seer has insulted the state.
"The religious leader has become an unquestionable seer. He will be removed from the mutt if he doesn't speak like this. We should stop reacting to his statements," noted litterateur Chandrashekar Patil said.
The activists also said that instead of the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the seer was trying to propagate caste-based hierarchy in the social system.
Social activist Meenakshi Bali said, "Pejawar seer's statement is against the principles of Democracy. He (seer) does not believe in a pluralistic society. He is misleading the people by spreading lies."
A day ahead of the Constitution Day, Pejawar pontiff Vishwesha Theertha had said that he wants the “benefits and privileges guaranteed to Dalits and minorities” in the Constitution to be extended to majority communities.
He also said that he had asked the central government “if it could make amendments to the Constitution on this” while speaking at the Dharma Sansad in Udupi.
"There are different laws for the majority and the minority people in the Constitution. Hence, there is nothing wrong in making amendments to the Constitution of India," he added.
However, the seer on Sunday said that his statements were misinterpreted.