Gadag

 Jagadguru Dr. Thontada Siddalinga Mahaswamiji’s birthday would be celebrated as Social Harmony Day. A government order in this regard would be issued soon, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

The Chief Minister in his address after inaugurating the ‘Aikya Mantapa’ of the Swamiji said, “it is our duty to celebrate his birthday meaningfully. He was a great thinker and philosopher. He could have built huge structures and institutions. But the seer was dedicated towards building a harmonious society and the welfare of the society.”

The Swamiji had immense concern for the environment and he had led a strong agitation to declare Kappata Gudda as a wild life sanctuary. He was involved in the Gokak agitation for the cause of Kannada, Bommai said.

Even Kannada icon Dr Rajkumar was inspired by the Swamiji’s oratory during the Gokak agitation, Bommai said.