TNN May 3, 2012, 06.59AM IST
MADURAI: The nomination of self-styled godman Nithyananda as the 293rd pontiff of the centuries-old Madurai adheenam is snowballing into a war between various mutts in Tamil Nadu.
A day after religious heads met at Dharmapuram adheenam in Mayiladuthurai and adopted a resolution demanding the removal of Nithyananda as the 293rd pontiff, the controversial godman shot back with a warning of legal action against the Dharmapuram adheenam.
Nithyananda, who held a hurriedly organised press conference at the Madurai mutt premises on Wednesday, said the mutt heads who passed a resolution at Dharmapuram adheenam did not give him an opportunity to explain his nomination as pontiff before demanding his removal.
"They have not sought the self-explanation from Madurai adheenam or me in person before passing the resolution. Let them give an opportunity to explain ourselves and if they are not convinced I am ready to resign the appointment," he said.
As the recent resolution passed by other adheenams has deeply hurt the sentiments of Nithyananda and his disciples, they have decided to approach the court with various sections on criminal conspiracy, defamation and promoting enmity between groups.
"The sentiments of the disciples are hurt by the attitude of other adheenams and they have decided to approach the court. We are giving 10 days' time to repeal their resolutions, else the disciples of Dhyana Peetam in Bidadi near Bangalore have decided to stage a hunger fast in front of the Dharmapuram adheenam. They have also decided to send 1,000 letters signed with blood demanding legal action against the religious heads, who passed the resolution," Nithyananda said.
Nithyananda also contented that the caste controversy raised by other adheenams was not right. "Without understanding the original caste background, the adheenams are making it an issue," he quipped. He also mentioned the protests against him by a few outfits as the handiwork of adheenams which did not approve his appointment.
"Henceforth, they will be responsible if some untoward incident happens due to these protests," he mentioned. Nithyananda also assured that in no way, he will cause any damage to the properties of Madurai adheenam but will aspire to increase the property values. He also mentioned that he had disclosed the asset values of Nithyananda Dhyana Peetam in Bangalore and will disclose the asset value of Madurai adheenam as well.
Madurai adheenam 292nd pontiff Arunagirinatha Desikar said, "As many as seven pontiffs of Madurai adheenam have been from the Nithyananda's caste. So it is not an issue in choosing him as my successor."
Source: Times of India
No comments:
Post a Comment