A day after former president Pranab Mukherjee, Bharatiya Jan Sangh founding member Nanaji Deshmukh and acclaimed artist Bhupen Hazarika were conferred with the Bharat Ratna, the Congress said that the Centre government ignored Shivakumara Swami, often referred to as ‘walking god’, even though the Lingayat seer worked for orphan children all his life. “It is disappointing that the Central government did not announce to confer the Bharat Ratna award on Shivakumara Swami, iconic Lingayat seer who died recently,†said veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
Born on April 1, 1908, in Veerapura village of Ramanagara district in Karnataka, the Swami was also involved in several philanthropic activities and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2015.
The seer, who was said to be one of the oldest persons living in India, had been suffering from a lung infection for the past few weeks. Popularly known as ‘Nadedaaduva Devaru’ (Walking God), Shivakumara Swami was initiated into Viraktha Ashrama in 1930. Before becoming the seer, he went by his name Shivanna.
Talking about the ongoing political crisis in Karnataka, the Congress leaders said that the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh are trying their best to destabilise the state government before the upcoming General Elections.
“BJP, RSS and all the central forces are at work to destabilise Karnataka before the elections, and bring in Governor's rule but this won't happen. Aur kitna bhi girane ki koshish karne do, agar ek jaenge to 10 udhar se aenge (If one goes, ten will come back),†ANI tweeted.
“Operation Kamala is underway due to the central govt. This was earlier being done by Yeddyurappa ji in 2008 & now this is being done again. This is a brainchild of BJP. Some are being lured with money, some with power, some are being threatened,†he added.
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