Karnataka seer says free travel scheme raising mutts' visitors food burden

A seer of a mutt in Karnataka’s Gadag has raised concerns over the financial strain being placed on temples and mutts due to the state government’s flagship guarantee schemes. The comments come from the head of the Shirahatti Fakkireshwar Mutt, Fakira Dingaleshwar Swami, who said that the influx of devotees, boosted by free travel schemes, has drastically increased the cost of feeding visitors.

“Due to the state government’s five guarantees, our mutts are facing difficulties. A large number of people are coming and eating here. The food expenditure has increased a hundredfold. I would like to convey to the government that your free schemes have become a burden on our mutts for excessive expenditure,” the seer said.

At the Veereshwara Punyashrama in Gadag, around 1,000 to 1,200 people used to receive meals daily before the guarantee schemes were introduced. That number has now risen to approximately 1,500 to 1,600 per day, prompting an appeal to the government for financial support to sustain these food services.

In response to the remarks, Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil said he was unaware of the seer’s statement but defended the government’s guarantee schemes, asserting that they have brought tangible relief to the people. “I don’t know what the comment of the seer is. But with our five guarantees people are very happy and people are feeling very secure. They are very much comfortable. They are very much enjoying the food of democracy now,” he said.

Citing Mahatma Gandhi, the Minister added, “Gandhi ji said political freedom is not enough, economic freedom should be there. That has come true, people are happy.”

He further added that no temple or mutt had formally registered any complaint so far and suggested that those with resources would continue to feed people willingly. “Whomsoever have the strength they will feed the people. So far no temple or mutt has made any such complaint,” Patil said.