Keeping aside all superstitious beliefs and religious rituals, farmers and fans of the former Melkote legislator K.S. Puttannaiah are set to perform the 11th day post-death ceremony of their leader at his native Kyathanahalli on Wednesday.
Puttannaiah, a two-time MLA and veteran leader of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, passed away late on February 18. The burial was held on February 22.
As the departed leader had discouraged superstitious beliefs all his life, KRRS members and his fans have decided to hold the 11th day remembrance by organising some events with rational thoughts that could inspire society, mainly the agrarian community and youth, said Shambhunahalli Suresh, a senior KRRS leader.
He said a massive sapling plantation drive and a theatre performance by farmers would be held, besides a symposium on the life and beliefs of Puttannaiah, at Kyathanahalli.
Farmers’ leaders, writers, rationalists, progressive thinkers, social activists, artistes and others from across the State are expected to visit Kyathanahalli on Wednesday to pay homage to the departed leader.
The sapling plantation drive will be symbolically inaugurated on Wednesday. It will be held in villages that include 40 gram panchayats in Pandavapura and Srirangapatna taluks, Mr. Suresh said. Women achievers from across the State would be honoured on March 8 on the occasion of International Women’s Day. There are plans to help the families of debt-ridden farmers who committed suicide.
Meanwhile, sources in the KRRS who are close to the leader’s family said Darshan Puttanaiah, son of Puttannaiah, would not shave his head.
According to the customs of the Hindu religion, the elder son tonsuring his head after the death of his father is an important practice. But Puttanaiah was against the practice of such rituals and did not practice it after his father, Srirkantegowda, died, sources said.
