Happy about Padma Bhushan, but didn't seek or want honour, says Chinna Jeeyar

HYDERABAD: I have never sought a Padma Bhushan, said Sri Tridandi Chinna Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji , at a press conference on Monday, held to announce the Samatha Kumbh , which will be organised between February 2 and 12.

"When I received a phone call from Delhi about the Padma Bhushan being conferred on me, I expressed happiness.

But I have never asked or wanted the honour," the Vedic scholar, popular as Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, said.

Talking about the Kumbh, he said, it will be held on the premises of the Statue of Equality at Muchintal, but claimed he did not send out any personal invites to VVIPs or VIPs. "During unveiling of the statue in 2022, we faced some protocol hurdles which caused inconvenience to the common people. To avoid that we have only sent out a common invite to all," he said.

Incidentally, installation of the Statue of Equality - inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi - had sparked controversy after Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao 's name was missing on the plaque. It led to speculation about a rift brewing between the CM and Chinna Jeeyar. Subsequently, the state steered clear of inviting the seer to the inauguration of Yadadri temple.

Though Chinna Jeeyar Swamy refrained from speaking about KCR or any other political party, he told reporters on Monday that political parties should work for benefit of society and not engage in blame game.

Beginning this year, he said the Samatha Kumbh will be organised annually at Muchintal and added that on February 4, over 200 doctors will take part in cancer screening on the occasion of World Cancer Day.