Swami ends fast for Sivagiri Mutt

Swami Visudhananda, who had also begun to fast will continue to observe his fast.

Swami Rithambarananda said the decision to withdraw the fast was taken not in deference to the court directive alone, but also in consideration of appeals by religious leaders and the public. Dharmacharyas have informed that a nation-wide agitation will begin if the Government did not hand over Sivagiri to the elected board. A decision by theGovernment is expected within a week, he added.

Earlier, Chief Minister E K Nayanar ruled out any mediation on his part to end the one-month fast by Swami Prakasananda.

Nayanar told mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting that the fast by the Swami was fallout of a conspiracy by RSS to take over Sivagiri Mutt. The Swami had become a puppet in the hands of BJP and VHP. The Swami’s claim that Sivagiri was the holy place for Ezhavas was against the principles of Sreenarayana Guru, he said.

“Has Antony told Prakasananda to end the fast. He did not. Because there are political interests behind it. Why should I go and meet the Swami. Can Antony give me the assurance that the Swami will end his fast if I go and meet him,” Nayanar asked.

The Government was wiling to speed up the election process with the help of the advisory committee and hand over the administration of the Mutt to sanyasis, Nayanar said. There is no justification in the demand by Swami Prakasananda to withdraw the Sivagiri Bill, passed by the Assembly. The Government was not prepared to withdraw Bills passed by the Assembly on the demand of certain sections. “Can the Government withdraw Abkari Bill merely because Abkaris are agitating against it,” he asked.

As per the High Court directive, the Swami is not permitted to meet visitors. If VHP leader Ashok Singhal wants to meet the Swami, he should obtain permission from the High Court. “Even I won’t be able to meet him as per the High Court directive,” Nayanar said.