Pejavar mutt swamiji puts fast on hold in Karnataka

The swamiji of Pejavar Mutt Vishveshwara Thirtha temporarily suspended his Nityopavasa (one-meal-a-day) fast which he had been undergoing for a fortnight to protest against pollution at Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) in Santhoor, Udupi. The swamiji suspended the fast for 15 days after Nalin Kumar Kateel, member of Parliament, Mangalore, assured him to address the issue.

The swamiji said, “There is an immense pressure from my peers and supporters to stop the fast. Mangalore MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel met me and appealed to stop the fast. He assured to fix the pollution problem at UPCL once and for all. But I will not believe any politician, but have decided to give them one fair chance to put their act together. If nothing happens within 15 days, I will resume my fast and nobody can later convince me to withdraw it.”

Kateel said that he was concerned after learning that the swamiji was on fast for a fortnight. “His health could take a beating due to malnutrition. He is such a frail figure and at an advanced age, we cannot allow him to suffer. I will personally see to it that the problem is fixed permanently. Within the next fortnight, I shall ensure that UPCL complies with the pollution control standards,” he said.