Bengaluru: Freedom of speech and expression is a right and privilege extended to all citizens of India as enshrined in the Indian Constitution. But when it comes to politics, can it be compromised with?

An ardent and die-hard fan of PM Modi, Umamaheshwar Guruji has a yoga centre in the city. And he has no hesitation in praising Modi for his pro-yoga endeavours appreciation him for the way he has managed to secure a stage for yoga on the international arena.

Incidentally, this love for Modi has gotten him and his yoga centre into trouble. As alleged by him, the JD(S) MLA R Manjunath and president of Bagalagunte JD(S) unit Hanumantharaju are unhappy over this glorification of Modi. So, in Umameshwar’s own words, the two have cut off water supply to the yoga centre, as a mark of vindictiveness.

This yoga centre is reportedly takes up a lot of pro-people works. In this regard, on an average basis, the centre uses 500 litres of water every day. But ever since Umamaheshwar began praising Modi, the accused duo have not taken kindly to it. Both of them allegedly have a set of strong followers, numbering 500.

Umamaheshwar said, ”Modi has done a lot to publicise yoga on the global platform. It was due to his efforts that as many as 190 countries have accepted yoga as something divine and very useful. I have no issues in praising Modi because he deserves it. But the people under question have troubled us a lot, and have even taken the help of the police in troubling us.”

On his part, Hanumantharaju said, “A yoga guru must confine himself to yoga-related activities. This yoga guru goes on criticising former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. Why should he do that?”

If what the yoga guru is alleging is true, then it is not just shameful and sad, but also shocking as to how water supply can be cut off, just because a certain somebody has views contradictory to yours.