Criticism of Veer for baton charge on Panchamasali protestors

Chidanand Swami of Hosmutta has been criticized when the police lathi-charged the Panchamasali community who had started a protest demanding reservation under 2A.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, he said the action of the police was reprehensible. The state government should have invited Kudalsangma Math Drashta Basawa Jayamrityunjaya Swamy for talks on the matter but community members were lathi-charged, he said.

Expressing his support to the movement of the Panchamasali community on their demand, the seer accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of forcing Jayamrityunjay Swamy to oppose it. Detaining the seer is an insult to the Panchamasali community, he said.

Responding to the counter-movement by the backward classes against the demand of the Panchamasali community, the seer said that it should be resolved through dialogue and Veerashaiva Mahasabha should intervene and offer mediation.