In a surprising turn of events in Udupi, former minister Pramod Madhwaraj revealed he was not granted a pass to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile event on November 28, despite being the donor of a significant gold offering to the historic Sri Krishna Mutt. The controversy unfolded after Madhwaraj voluntarily agreed to abstain from the programme following discussions with mutt authorities.
Voluntary Absence Amidst Pass Denial
Addressing the media alongside BJP Udupi district president Kuthyaru Naveen Shetty on Monday, Pramod Madhwaraj clarified his position. He stated that he voluntarily offered to stay away from the Prime Minister's event after learning that some individuals had objections to his presence. This decision came after he directly communicated with Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Puttige Mutt.
Madhwaraj expressed his disappointment, revealing that his Aadhaar Card details and photographs were collected by authorities at least four times in the lead-up to the event. He held onto hope until the final hour, expecting an opportunity to witness the moment when PM Modi dedicated the gold kavacha he had donated. However, on November 27, Udupi Superintendent of Police informed him that no pass had been issued for him. Consequently, Madhwaraj watched the event from his home.
The Gold Kavacha Donation and PM's Visit
The heart of the matter revolves around a generous donation made by the former minister. Madhwaraj had sought permission from the Puttige Mutt Swami to renovate the ‘Kanakana Gudi’, a structure originally built by his father six decades ago. While granting approval, the Swami suggested that a golden kavacha (armour) be offered to the historic Kanakana Kindi at Sri Krishna Mutt. Madhwaraj immediately agreed to fund and offer the precious item.
Importantly, Madhwaraj emphasized that at the time of this discussion about the gold kavacha donation, there were no talks about a potential visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was later that the Swami proposed the Prime Minister should unveil the gold kavacha. However, this specific unveiling was not listed in the tentative schedule for the PM's event released by the Udupi district administration.
Police Clarify Protocol on Pass Issuance
Responding to the developing situation, Udupi SP Hariram Shankar provided clarity on the strict protocol governing such high-security events. He explained that the final list of attendees, including those designated to sit on the stage and be part of the receiving and seeing-off line-ups, is meticulously finalized by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
This list is then sent to the Special Protection Group (SPG), which subsequently shares it with the local police authorities for execution. SP Shankar stated unequivocally, "We have issued passes to everyone who was on the list shared with us by SPG." This explanation underscores that the decision-making authority for the guest list rests with central security agencies, not local district administration.
The incident has sparked discussions in Udupi's political and religious circles, highlighting the complex interplay between personal donations, religious institutions, and the stringent security protocols surrounding the Prime Minister's visits.
