Udupi: The Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi has expressed “deep regret” over an incident in which alleged objectionable remarks about Advaita philosopher Sri Adi Shankaracharya were made during a Harikatha programme conducted on the mutt premises. The mutt clarified that the organisers had been granted permission only for a Bharatanatyam performance and a Harivana Seva programme and has directed them to issue a public apology.
In a statement issued on behalf of the mutt, Diwan (Administrator) M Udaya Kumar of the Paryaya Sri Shiroor Mutt said the organisers deviated from the approved programme by staging a Harikatha titled Bhakta Prahlada, during which the alleged remarks were made.
Programme allegedly differed from approved schedule
According to the statement, Ankit Naik and Gauri Pandurangi had obtained permission on July 11 to conduct a one-hour Bharatanatyam performance followed by a one-hour Harivana Seva programme at the Sri Krishna Mutt premises.
However, instead of the approved programme, they allegedly conducted a Harikatha titled Bhakta Prahlada.
The mutt stated that during the performance, alleged objectionable remarks were made about Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, which subsequently came to the notice of the administration.
Mutt directs organisers to apologise
Following the incident, the mutt instructed the organisers to issue a public apology.
The statement said both Ankit Naik and Gauri Pandurangi were asked to apologise publicly for the incident.
According to the mutt, Gauri Pandurangi has already sought forgiveness through a video message.
The administration also expressed regret over the occurrence, describing it as an unfortunate and undesirable incident.
“The mutt expresses its deep regret over this unfortunate and undesirable incident,” the statement said.
Artist says there was no intention to offend
In her video message, Harikatha artist Gauri Pandurangi said there was no intention to insult anyone through the performance.
She clarified that neither the Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt nor the Shiroor Mutt had any involvement in or influence over the content presented during the programme.
Pandurangi also stated that no Madhva Mutt had instructed the performers to make the remarks.
According to her, the content was based on material read from a book.
She apologised to anyone whose religious sentiments may have been hurt.
“If our words have hurt followers of other faiths or mutts, we sincerely apologise,” she said in the video message.
Mutt distances itself from content
The Sri Krishna Mutt emphasised that the organisers had not been granted permission to conduct a Harikatha programme and that the content presented during the event did not have the approval or endorsement of the mutt.
By issuing the clarification and directing the organisers to apologise, the administration sought to distance itself from the remarks and reaffirm its commitment to maintaining harmony and mutual respect among different religious traditions.
The incident has drawn attention because of the reverence accorded to Sri Adi Shankaracharya, one of India’s most influential spiritual philosophers and the propounder of Advaita Vedanta.