Panchamasali seer given deadline to return to peetha

Davanagere: Leaders of Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Gurupeetha Trust have set March 24 as the deadline for Vachanananda Swami to communicate a final decision on relinquishing the Shwasa Yoga Peetha in Bengaluru, citing a commitment made during his ascension to the Panchamasali peetha.Trust's chief secretary BC Umapati told reporters on Tuesday: "He should leave Shwasa Yoga Peetha and fully engage in community organisation. Although this has been clearly communicated to the Swami six times — as decided at the Trust meetings — he has not heeded our demand. It is unacceptable to be elsewhere for a month and only spend a day or two at the gurupeetha. This place will not be allowed to become a guesthouse.""Swami, who claims to be on a foreign tour for a week, does not return even after 40 days. There is no visible concern or cultural regard for the poor people of the community," they rued."There has been no misconduct from the Trust. Every year, we have provided accounts to the govt and the community. There is no intention to remove Swami from Gurupeetha. We believe he will leave Shwasa Yoga Peetha and stay here. If not, the Trust officebearers will take a call," trustees stated.