'Green Swamiji' continues to remain evergreen in the hearts of devotees
In fact he was a much progressive seer compared to his traditional contemporaries of Veerashiva-Lingayat,one of the two dominant communities in the state of Karnataka apart from Vokkaligas who dominate in the Southern parts .Although the former are found in large numbers in the whole of North Karnataka,both of them worship Lord Shiva.Veerashiva-Lingayats happen to be vegetarians while the Vokkaligas are non vegetarians.
Sri Siddalinga swamiji was fondly known as the 'Green Swamiji'. He earned the title following his relentless fight to thwart the attempts of mining giant POSCO from drilling the bio-diversity rich Kappattagudda mountainous range said to be rich in gold and iron deposits.
The hilly terrain close by the Eco sensitive Western Ghats region is also renowned for various types of medicinal plants and herbs.He led a mass movement drawing thousands people from all walks of life for the struggle which went for months together.
Ultimately the tempo created by the people's movement paid rich dividends in the form of the then BJP state government withdrawing permission to the multinational company,granted for mining operations.But his fight wasn't over as he had to come to the streets once again after the Siddaramaiah led state Congress government removed the same area rich in flora and fauna from the conservation of reserve forests list.
The agitation slowly started attracting environmentalists from across the country thus compelling upon the state government from restoring the old status.This way the entire 17,872 hectares of pristine land patch escaped from the clutches of being exploited for the greed on human beings.
Perhaps an interesting chapter in the seer's life is bringing the untouchable Jatava community people belonging to Northern India under the path of Basava preaching.The Cobblers community which had hitherto remained literally untouchable in the mainstream of society found a new hope in Basava Dharma.
Sri Tontada Siddalinga swamiji,pontiff of the revered Dambal-Gadag Samsthan Thontadarya Mutt in Gadag district headquarters left to heavenly abode on 20 October 2018.But his contribution for the welfare of society and commitment in restoring the environment unpolluted makes him remain in the minds and hearts of the people forever.
In fact he was a much progressive seer compared to his traditional contemporaries of Veerashiva-Lingayat,one of the two dominant communities in the state of Karnataka apart from Vokkaligas who dominate in the Southern parts .Although the former are found in large numbers in the whole of North Karnataka,both of them worship Lord Shiva.Veerashiva-Lingayats happen to be vegetarians while the Vokkaligas are non vegetarians.
Sri Siddalinga swamiji was fondly known as the 'Green Swamiji'. He earned the title following his relentless fight to thwart the attempts of mining giant POSCO from drilling the bio-diversity rich Kappattagudda mountainous range said to be rich in gold and iron deposits.
The hilly terrain close by the Eco sensitive Western Ghats region is also renowned for various types of medicinal plants and herbs.He led a mass movement drawing thousands people from all walks of life for the struggle which went for months together.
Ultimately the tempo created by the people's movement paid rich dividends in the form of the then BJP state government withdrawing permission to the multinational company,granted for mining operations.But his fight wasn't over as he had to come to the streets once again after the Siddaramaiah led state Congress government removed the same area rich in flora and fauna from the conservation of reserve forests list.
The agitation slowly started attracting environmentalists from across the country thus compelling upon the state government from restoring the old status.This way the entire 17,872 hectares of pristine land patch escaped from the clutches of being exploited for the greed on human beings.
Perhaps an interesting chapter in the seer's life is bringing the untouchable Jatava community people belonging to Northern India under the path of Basava preaching.The Cobblers community which had hitherto remained literally untouchable in the mainstream of society found a new hope in Basava Dharma.
A Hindi daily newspaper had published an article highlighting the principles of Veerashiva-Lingayat religion devoid of any discrepancies and differences of hierarchy expressing devotion to the almighty.These people were so moved that they became ardent followers of Sri Tontada Siddalinga swamiji and thereby his Dambal-Gadag Samsthan Tontadarya Mutt in Gadag.
This relationship became intimate to such extent that many of them embraced the Shaivite faith and were also inherited the Ishta lingam(miniature form of Lingam) for performing puja to it on a daily basis.In this way developed a close proximity between the North Indian disciples and the Lingayat Mutt down South in Gadag.
Since many years these new devotees flock to Gadag from New Delhi and many other places in several bogies on the occasion of Basava Jayanti.They will reside in the Mutt premises for a few days and are taken to nearby sight seeing spots in hired buses and seen off after gifting the ladies with saris and men with clothes.
The seer had recollected these moments of joy to Hindusthan Samachar a few months back when he had given an audience on the eve of general elections.
He was one of the few pontiffs of Veerashiva-Lingayat Mutts who had vociferously campaigned for a separate minority religion tag status to the community.The subject had evolved into a major controversy with the community leaders dividing on pro and against factions apart from party lines.
Although the swamiji wore saffron attire just like other pontiffs he appeared to be more socially committed than the others.He never thought twice to plunge into social movements whenever the situation demanded.In the early eighties he was one of the prominent religious personalities to deliver fiery public speeches advocating for primacy in Kannada in the language of instruction.
The movement grew in such form that it also became another major factor along with the farmers agitation to dislodge the R Gundurao led Congress government,thus paving way for the first non Congress government in the state.
His role in fighting for envisaging a berth to Kannada as one of the classical language status is still recollected among the literary circles.For whatsoever reasons the Karnataka University in Dharwad had stopped publishing books on the Vachana form of literature for sometime.But Sri Siddalinga swamiji took the onus of publishing such books and they were made available by the publication division of the Mutt in thousands!
He was very candid when it came to expressing his stance over issues concerning the people's interests at large.He never distinguished people depending upon the communities one belonged to and in that way he rightly deserved the national award for communal harmony.
A recipient of many state awards he believed in felicitating any number of people making hall marks in a variety of fields.No doubt he has completed his innings in the most meaningful manner possible.But at the same time he has also left behind him a never ending series of lessons to follow and adhere to in the overall interests of the society.
Hindusthan Samachar/Manohar Yadavatti
Comments
Post a Comment