Mangalore : It has been gathered that Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji who was supposed to release the second edition of the Kannada translation of Quran by Abdussalam Puttige, Editor-in-chief of Vartha Bharathi at Town Hall on February 1, Friday, chose not to attend the function, after the Bhajrangdal activists staged a protest outside the residence of Pradeep Kalkura, President of DK unit of Sahitya Parishat threatening to stage severe protest in  case the seer participated in the function.

The activists also alleged that it was  Kalkura who pressurized the seer to take part in the function. But both Kalkura and the Pejawar seer who were invitees for the  book release function had abstained.

Later, clarifying on the issue, the seer said he chose not to attend as he did not want any law and order problem to arise as there was the chance of the  protests being held even outside the function  venue. It is learnt even Kalkura chose to avoid the function for the same reason.