Caste discrimination? Udupi Mutt at Modi event fails to recognise Madhwaraj, who donated golden cover to Kanakana Kindi

Bengaluru

A glaring moment at the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerged when the Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt management failed to acknowledge former MLA Pramod Madhwaraj — the donor of the golden cover for the Kanakana Kindi, which was formally dedicated to the mutt by the Prime Minister.

In most Hindu temples and mutts, donated items are unveiled by the donors themselves, or at least in their presence. At the very least, the donor’s name is publicly mentioned. However, the Udupi Mutt made no reference to Madhwaraj, creating the impression that the golden cover had been offered by Modi or the Union Government.

A source in the Udupi BJP told blrpost.com that Madhwaraj’s name did not appear in the guest list approved by the Prime Minister’s Office. The reason for the omission remains unclear, and Madhwaraj stayed away from the event.

Another source close to MLA Yashpal Suvarna claimed that the mutt has a history of keeping people from lower castes at a distance despite their substantial contributions. According to the source, while Brahmins are treated superior, exceptions are made for individuals in positions of power, such as the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers. The failure to recognise Madhwaraj, he alleged, may reflect this attitude.

Kanakana Kindi itself is considered a symbolic reminder of caste discrimination. According to legend, Kanakadasa, a revered saint from a lower caste, was denied entry into the temple and offered prayers from the outside. The deity is said to have turned to face him through a small window — now revered as Kanakana Kindi.

Activist Lokesh Poojari, in a Facebook post, highlighted Udupi’s long history of caste-linked controversies, from the Kanaka Gopura dispute to the Sagarollanghana debate. Tracing the legacy of the Kanakadasa shrine built in 1964 by Malpe Madhvaraj, he noted that the stone for the idol was specially sourced from the Karnataka–Andhra border for superior craftsmanship. Despite such significant contributions by the Madhvaraj family, Lokesh argued, figures like Pramod Madhwaraj often go unacknowledged, even as the mutt readily recalls historical patrons such as the Muslim Sultan who granted land to the institution.

He further linked this legacy to former minister Pramod Madhwaraj’s funding of the golden adornment for the Kanakana Kindi, concluding with a pointed question: was Pramod even present at the PM’s event?

Speaking to blrpost.com, Madhwaraj said, “I could not attend because I didn’t get an entry pass. I am someone who attends even the weddings of the poorest people — why would I not want to attend Modi’s event?”