Shri Kesavananda Bharati Swamiji of Edaneer Math passes away

Mangaluru, Sep 06: Shri Kesavananda Bharati Swamiji, the seer whose legal fight lead to the landmark decision outlining the basic structure doctrine case breathed his last on Sunday morning.

The Swamiji (79) headed the Edaneer Matha (Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya Thotakacharya Samsthanam) in Kasargod district of Kerala.

Swamiji raised into prominence due to the legal fight against the Kerala government in 1973.
While the Kerala government tried to impose restrictions over the Math property, the seer raised his objection and questioned the move of the government.

After hearing for 68 days, the Supreme Court constitutional bench of 13 judges on April 24, 1973, pronounced its judgment with a 7-6 majority.

It was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of India that outlined the basic structure doctrine of the constitution.

This case became the most referred one in Indian constitutional law.

In 1961, at the age of 19 he became the Peetadhipathi of the Mutt. He was a great scholar, Carnatic and Hindustani vocalist and a patron of Yakshagana. He used to participate as ‘Bhagavatha,’ in Yakshagana.

Leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condoled the death of the Swamiji.