Sri Siddharam Swami of Sri Nagnur Rudrakshimutt has called for attitudinal change among convicts and undertrials in prisons.
Speaking at a function organised by the district unit of the Akhil Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha on the occasion of Basava Jayanti celebrations and the prison reforms programme at the Hindalga Central Prison here on Monday, he said no human being was born a criminal. Certain harsh and hostile conditions in their lives might have compelled them to take law into their hands.
Ray of hope
“Yet, there is always a ray of hope and an opportunity to make a new beginning, which however, is possible by developing a positive attitude and facing the difficulties of life with courage.”
He said India has been a land of spiritualism and time-tested value systems for thousands of years.
And, there were saints whose preaching had changed lives and brought a new vigour, zeal, joy and satisfaction.
The vachanas of the 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara and sharanas were highly relevant even today. By inculcating the values inherent in the vachanas, one could develop a positive attitude towards life and fellow beings and become valuable citizens, he added.
Jail reforms
Superintendent of Prisons M. Somashekhar advised the jail inmates to take best advantage of the reform programmes initiated in the interest of prisoners. The former Mayor Siddangouda Patil and office-bearers of the mahasabha were present.
