Shimoga: Members of various communities took out a protest rally here on Saturday to extend their support to Ramachandrapura Mutt seer Raghaveshwara Bharathi and claimed that the charges of sexual harassment against the seer were baseless.
Protesters said that people with vested interests had made these allegations to tarnish the image of the seer. “We strongly condmen this and urge the State government to take action against those behind this. The main aim is to harass the seer mentally and this will not be tolerated under any circumstance,” the protesters said.
The agitating villagers said futile attempts to tarnish the image of the seer had been made even in the past. “This time, they have accused the seer of sexual harassment,” they said.
Villagers of Melina Besige village, including those belonging to the Muslim community, took part in the rally. The protesters also submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard.
Meanwhile, members of the Hosanagar Taluk Brahmin Community Association submitted a memorandum to the tahasildar condemning the charges made against the seer.
The Association Taluk unit president Ramachandra Rao, secretary Pradeep, treasurer N Sridhar Udupa and others were present on the occasion.
