Pejawar seer suspends 'one meal a day' fast over UPCL row

Udupi, March 29: Pejawar Mutt pontiff Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji on Monday broke his nine day long `one meal a day' fast against the coal based UPCL power plant, following assurance from Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

It is to be noted here that Pejawar Swamiji had taken up the fasting on Mar 19, to express his concern for the villagers of Yellur, Nandikur, Padubidri, Mudarangadi, affected by the fly ash, bottom ash and saline water discharged by the UPCL power plant. After hearing the grievance of the villagers of ill health and environmental pollution, Swamiji had demanded the UPCL to stop its production with immediate effect. He had even told that he would not break his fast even after any government intervened.

Meanwhile, chief minister BS Yedyurappa had written two letters to the Swamiji urging him to withdraw his fasting. In the letter CM had told Swamiji that Higher Education Minister Dr VS Acharya would meet him as his (CM's) emissary, discuss the issue and report the same to him.

Speaking to the media Swamiji said that he had difference of opinion with Dr VS Acharya, on the Nagarjuna issue and he would write a letter to the CM rejecting his proposal.

Nalin Kumar said that he had come to meet the Swamiji on his personal capacity to urge him to withdraw his fasting. ``I came here as a disciple of the Swamiji. I have discussed the issue with the Chief Minister and concerned departments. It seems the issue could be settled amicably. So we have fixed a deadline of 20 days. If we fail to solve the problems faced by the people by April 15 I have decided to join the agitation along with the Swamiji'', Nalin added.

Muslims' support

Muslims belonging to seven villages such as Padubidri, Hejmady, Palimar, Inna, Mudrangady, Yermal and Uchila coming under the Zonal Muslim Jamaat Federation (Valaya Muslim Jamaat Okkoota) observed fast and offered prayers to protest against the alleged pollution caused by the coal-based thermal power plant of Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL), here on Monday.