Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami of Jain Mutt has appealed to the Centre to sanction ₹100 crore for the Prakrit University and for works related to Mahamastakabhisheka of Gomateshwara scheduled for February 2018.
Prakrit University, coming up in Shravanabelagola in Hassan district, is the first of its kind in the world.
Speaking at the inauguration of the International Prakrit Conference, the seer said the Centre for Studies in Prakrit language was set up utilising ₹50 lakh provided by M. Veerappa Moily during his tenure as Chief Minister.
“The Karnataka government has decided to develop the centre into a university. The government has earmarked ₹21 crore for this purpose. But, that is not sufficient. If the Centre provides its share for the university, it would be helpful to take up studies in Prakrit,” he said.
Along with the proposed varsity, an international guest house is also required for scholars and guests from different countries. “During the last Mahamastakabhisheka in 2006, the Centre had given ₹90 crore. This time we are hoping for at least ₹100 crore,” the seer said.
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar, responding to the seer’s appeal, said he would apprise Union Minister for Human Resources Development Prakash Javadekar on the same, besides ensuring that funds are provided.
“I will also meet Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and appeal to him to set up the second Prakrit University at Vaishali, the birthplace of Lord Mahaveer, in Bihar,” he said.
The Minister said he would be a representative of the mutt in Delhi and respond to the needs of the mutt with regard to the Mahamastakabhisheka.
When journalists brought to his notice that the Centre had not released funds for the event thus far, he said the centre had allocated more funds for improving railway network and highways in the state in the recent years compared to the past.
“I will discuss the requirements with the seer and then meet the PM to discuss the same,” he said.
