Newskarnataka-Mangalore
Moodbidri : Jain religious heads and several members of the community staged a hunger strike in the Savira Kamba basadi premises on October 2, Wednesday under the leadership of Jain Mutt head Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji demanding a CBI probe into the Siddantha Darshana Mandir theft case. Senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojari who visited the venue of the protest to pledge his support spoke to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over telephone and persuaded the CM to entrust the case to the CBI. Over 2000 Shravaks from various places participated in the protest.
Local MLA and State Youth Services Minister K Abhayachandra Jain along with former union minister Janardhan Poojari visited the protest venue in the afternoon. Poojari even contacted the CM and convinced him to entrust the case to CBI.
Poojari later informed him that the CM has assured to take necessary steps towards entrusting the case to the CBI after discussing the issue at the cabinet meeting. Stating that he had the confidence that the CM would keep up his words, Poojari also declared that he would launch an indefinite hunger strike at the same venue otherwise.
The Jain Mutt seer who spoke on the occasion, said the protest was symbolic and added the Samaj would organize a massive protest at the nation level if its demand was not fulfilled.
Sri Lalithakeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Karkala Jain Mutt, Sri Lakshmisena Bhattaraka Swamiji of Narasimha Rajapura Jain Mutta, Sri Vrishabhasena Bhattaraka Swamiji of Lakkavalli Jain Mutt, Sri Bhanukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Kambadahalli Jain Mutt and Sri Kshulluka Siddantha Keertha Swamiji of Shrravanabelagola Jain Mutt participated in the protest.
Several prominent citizens from different faiths too arrived at the protest venue and pledged their support. Patnashetty Sudhesh Kumar, Anadka Dinesh Kumar, Trustee of the Basadis and others were present.