Shivamogga
In Shivamogga, Dr. Pranavananda Swamiji, the head of the Brahmashree Narayana Guru Shakti Peetha in Karadalli, Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district, announced a major padayatra to press for the long-pending demands of 26 communities, including Ediga, Billava, Namadhari, Dheevara and Thiya.
Speaking at a press conference, he said the 700-km march will begin on January 6 and continue for 41 days, covering about 20 km per day before reaching Freedom Park in Bengaluru on February 12, where an indefinite dharna will be launched.
He urged the government to immediately release ₹500 crore to the newly formed Brahmashree Narayana Guru Development Corporation. He also demanded that the state recommend the inclusion of these communities in the ST reservation category, the installation of Narayana Guru’s statue in front of the Vidhana Soudha, and 50% reservation for all 26 sub-communities in liquor retail contracts.
Further demands included allocating ₹100 crore annually for the development of Koti-Chennayya’s birthplace, withdrawing cases filed against the Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple, providing land and security for the temple, granting houses and land to flood-affected families in Shivamogga district, and instituting a state-level Narayana Guru award carrying ₹5 lakh. He also sought the restoration of Hosanagar as a separate Assembly constituency and the sanction of a medical college for a community trust.
Swamiji noted that although a similar 700-km padayatra was held in 2023, and the government then announced the development corporation and sanctioned ₹25 lakh for community research, many key demands remain unfulfilled.
He also urged the Centre to allow unhindered access for monks at Indian airports, condemned the recent terror attack near Delhi’s Red Fort, and criticized the BJP in Shivamogga for excluding members of his community from leadership roles.
