synopsis

  • I don’t think homa can bring rains; we will not perform any ritual for water, says CM Siddaramaiah
  • There is nothing wrong in praying for rain, said Minister MB Patil
  • Later, taking a U-turn minister said, the ritual was conducted in respect of rivers and not for rain

In contradictory actions, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s anti-superstition stand has come into question as videos of government conducting homa (religious ritual) to appease the rain god in the state surfaced.

Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddarmaiah is known for his anti-superstition stand. He even visited the district of Chamarajanagar, which political leaders of the state fear to visit as there is a belief that the one visiting the district will lose the power. Not caring about such a ‘belief’ Siddaramaiah had visited the district.

But now, the Water Resources Minister from his own Cabinet has not only spoken against Siddaramaiah’s stand but also put him in a spot. Speaking to the media, Minister MB Patil said that the government conducts homas every year, it is just like respecting the rain god with ‘bagina’.

[Baagina is a collection of different items -turmeric, kumkum, black bangles, black beads, a comb, a small mirror, coconut, blouse piece, cereals, rice, lentils, wheat and jaggery. This is offered to the river so that it never dries up and is always brimming with water.]

Minister also said that Rs 20 lakh had been approved in the presence of the Chief Minister for this ritual.

But Siddaramaiah is time and again heard saying that he doesn’t believe in conducting homa for rains. He was heard saying, “I don’t think any religious ritual can bring rains. I have not done any homa, and I will not do any such thing.”

However, speaking at the Assembly, Chief Minister has clarified that the government is not conducting the religious ritual. Whatever ritual was conducted for the rains was not organised by the government.

After the issue was taken quite seriously, it looks like now minister MB Patil too is taking a U-turn. He has said that Parjanya Yaga (a part of Homa) was not conducted to bring rains and it has nothing to do with the government. CM Siddaramaiah doesn’t believe in such things, Minister added.

The ritual was conducted just in respect of the two rivers Krishna and Cauvery, says the minister.

Watch Video here:

 

For latest News whatsapp subscribe to Asianet News Whatsapp channel by clicking here.For breaking news and more whatsapp subscribe to Asianet News on YouTube by clicking here.