Udupi Kanaka Kavacha Row: Donor Pramod Madhwaraj Excluded from PM Modi’s Inauguration

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Udupi : The recent inauguration of the newly gold-plated Kanakana Kindi (Kanaka Kavacha) at Udupi Sri Krishna Math by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stirred controversy, not over the event itself, but over the conspicuous absence of the primary donor, former minister Pramod Madhwaraj. Despite the Kindi’s history being deeply tied to his family—it was originally built by his father and recently reconstructed and gold-plated by Madhwaraj himself—he was denied entry to the ceremony.

The Donor’s Frustration
Pramod Madhwaraj admitted he had fully anticipated attending the high-profile ceremony where PM Modi offered floral tributes to the Kanakadasa statue and unveiled the Kanaka Kavacha. He recounted the sequence of events leading to his exclusion: “My Aadhaar details were taken four times. I was expecting to be somewhere near during the inauguration. I waited till last night for a pass.” However, the local Superintendent of Police (SP) ultimately informed him that he would not be granted entry. Having relied on the Math for his pass, he missed the opportunity to make alternative arrangements and ended up watching the sacred event on television.

Denying Blame, Accepting Fate
Crucially, Madhwaraj stepped forward to clarify that no malicious intent was involved, absolving both the political party and the religious institution of responsibility. “By various reasons, I could not go to that area… Neither BJP nor Puttige Math is behind this,” he stated. He attributed the confusion to the Prime Minister’s late scheduling confirmation, which occurred after the gold plating was completed.

A Moment of Pride Over Personal Hurt
Despite the perceived slight, Madhwaraj maintained a graceful perspective, downplaying his personal disappointment. He insisted that “not being invited does not matter before such joy,” calling the moment a source of happiness and pride. He expressed immense satisfaction that the Prime Minister himself acknowledged and honored the contributions of both himself and his father. Madhwaraj concluded by submitting to a higher will: “Maybe it was destined that way. I feel protected by a divine shield and honored.”