MANGALORE: Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt who had virtually hijacked the movement launched by the people affected by the proposed Mangalore Special Economic Zone Project and enjoyed state wide publicity by declaring that he would launch a hunger strike against SEZ, has now dropped his proposed hunger strike, for the fifth time, this time by changing his stance after talks with the government.
A few days ago, the seer had announced that he would launch a hunger strike from March 6 if his demands with regard to the SEZ were not met with. Now in an all of a sudden and unexpected move, he has changed his stance overnight, inviting sharp reactions from the public. SMS’s have been exchanged sine last night saying “It’s happy that Pejawar seer dropped his movement so early. The only point of happiness is that the seer has not cheated the farmers of Permude for long.”
The seer had been in the news by holding press meets on SEZ continuously and this is the fifth time that he has put off his agitation. Earlier this month, he had announced that the indefinite hunger strike which he proposed to hold from February 4 had been put off for a month following an assurance given by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. Now following talks with Home Minister Dr VS Acharya and Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani, he has not only dropped his latest hunger strike planned from March 6, but has virtually backtracked from the fight against SEZ.
The very same seer at a press meet held recently had declared vociferously that there was no chance of withdrawing the stir this time, after he had put off his hunger strike four times earlier. Farmers are now questioning how the seer dropped his agitation plans despite the government not heeding to the denotification demand and want to know which of the demand has been fulfilled.
When the SEZ authorities had illegally acquired the land of the poor Kudubi farmers, the entire district had raised its voice against this oppression. There had been several occasions during the course of the movement, when the police had to even lathi charge the agitators. Had the movement continued in the same pace, then it would have reached a decisive phase by now. But even as the movement was underway, the Pejawar seer intervened and said he would go on hunger strike. People believing the seer, forgot their agitation and followed the seer. Now the seer has almost left the farmers in mid waters.
This is however not the first time that the Pejawar seer is doing so. Earlier too the seer had taken part in the anti-Nagarjuna movement, when the movement was at its peak. But later, on paying heed to the words of the government officials and authorities, he had backtracked.

Unlimited time for govt to make stand clear
When The Canara Times contacted the Pejawar seer to know of the latest development he said “There is no change in my stance. I will be with the farmers themselves. But I have dropped the hunger strike which I planned from March 6. Home Minster VS Acharya and Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani have requested me to drop the agitation and have sought time for the government to announce its decision and therefore, they have been given time.” When asked as to how much time limit has been set to the government, he said “No time limit has been set. They will announce their decision at any time.”

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Kudubis to protest before Pejawar mutt
MANGALORE: Reports say the Poor Kudubi tribals who are totally disappointed after the Pejawar seer dropped his hunger strike, are now planning to go on a hunger strike from March 6. Sources revealed that the Kudubis have now decided to go on a strike against the Pejawar seer who had earlier declared that he would go on a hunger strike against the MSEZ.
There is every possibility of the Kudubis launching their protest outside the Pejawar Mutt demanding justice from the Pejawar seer who had earlier assured justice to the Kudubi tribals.

Movement to continue : The Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samithi has declared that the movement against SEZ would continue and that the backtracking of the Pejawar seer from the movement would not hinder the movement in any manner. The Samithi said it had not embarked upon the movement relying on any one and have only launched the movement losing faith in the existing system.
Referring to the Pejawar seer’s statement that there was no change in his stance, the Samithi said the farmers would wage a relentless battle and would not allow acquisition of even an inch of the 2015 acres of land.

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