Sri Sri Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar of Manavala Mamunigal Mutt here began an indefinite fast demanding a public apology from lyricist Vairamuthu for his “derogatory” remarks against Vaishnavite saint Andal.
This is the second time the Jeeyar is sitting on a hunger strike on the same issue.
The pontiff began the hunger protest in a marriage hall near Sri Andal Temple. He arrived at the hall around 10.30 a.m. Scores of devotees of Andal, including women, sat with him, though they did not participate in the fast.
The jeeyar had given up his indefinite fast in January after officials and leaders of various communities appealed to him to give it up suggesting that he give some time to the lyricist to make an open apology. By then, the lyricist had expressed regret saying that he could not make any derogatory remarks against Andal, a great Tamil poet.
Meanwhile, the jeeyar raised the issue during his tour of different parts of the State. Editor of Tamil daily, Dinamani , K. Vaidyanathan, who met the jeeyar at Srivilliputtur, apologised for having given room to Mr. Vairamuthu to make the comments against Sri Andal.
The jeeyar also “apologised” at the Andal temple for his remark, “We also know how to throw soda bottles.” He had given a deadline of February 3 to Mr. Vairamuthu to visit the temple and make his apology public.
