Udupi: Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt, on November 1, Thursday visited the venue of the indefinite dharna against sand problem that is underway in front of the DC office since the past seven days and pledged his support to the protest which has entered the eighth day today. He also threatened to go on a hunger strike from November 10 if the problem was not solved by then.

“Excessive sand extraction as well as a total ban on sand extraction is harmful to environment. The government must permit sand extraction with reasonable restrictions,” the seer said.

He also recited Vishnu Sahasra Nama for 10 minutes and prayed that the dharna would end on a happy note.

Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, Sand Boat Workers Union President Sudhaker Amin, Lorry Drivers and Owners Association President Raghavendra Shetty, ZP Vice President Sheela K Shetty, TP Chief Nalini Pradeep Rao, Builders Association President Jerry Dias, Chamber of Commerce President Krishnaraj Kodancha and others were present.