Tumkur: A commemoration programme ‘Punyasmarane’ for Siddaganga Matt Pontiff Late Shree Shivakumara Swamiji held on Thursday, January 31, became a platform for political talks surrounding ‘Bharat Ratna’ for the seer.
Addressing a gathering, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said that if a coalition of the regional front would come to power in the Centre, they would definitely confer the Bharat Ratna on Shivakumara Swamiji.
He also said that he and Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G Parameshwar had discussed on this and in about seven months they would collectively take a decision, once the ‘mahagathbandhan’ government comes to power in Centre.
CM HDK said he believed that as the NDA-led Bharatiya Janata Party was in power, the seer would be conferred with the award. He opined that if the award would be conferred on the seer, the respect and honour of the award would rise.
He remembered the moment of conferring the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ award on the seer with his own hands back in the year 2007, when he was the CM. He cherished it by saying, “It was my privilege and honour.”
CM HDK said that one must forget all political fights and come together to honour the great soul.
He also remembered the seer’s concern regarding the farmers’ issue.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of Government-Alliance Coordination Committee Siddaramaiah said that even though most of them had not seen Basavanna and Buddha, all their qualities were epitomised Shivakumara Swamiji.
He said he remembers Basavanna the moment he sees Shivakumara Swamiji.
