Seer of Lingayat Mutt in Gundlupet steps down after devotees learn of his religious background
Chamarajnagar: A young Lingayat seer heading the Gurumalleshwara Dasoha Mutt in Chowdahalli, Gundlupet taluk, was compelled to leave his position after his Muslim background came to light and the villagers objected to his appointment.
The 22-year-old seer, Nijalinga Swamy, had taken charge of the Mutt one-and-a-half months ago.
The seer was born into a Muslim family as Mohammad Nasir in Shahapur village of Yadgir district but, after being attracted by the principles of Basavanna at a young age, he took ‘deeksha’ (religious initiation) as Nijalinga Swamy at a Shakha Mutt. He headed the Mutt in Basavakalyana in Bidar as suggested by a senior seer and held religious services as well as sermons.
On Friday, August 1, however, a devotee of the Mutt found Nijalinga Swamy’s Aadhaar card details in his mobile phone and informed the village residents of the seer’s background. When questioned, the seer told the villagers that he was born into a different religion but took ‘deeksha’ in 2021 as he was attracted by the teachings of Basavanna.
The villagers, who were upset that the seer had not revealed his background while taking charge of the Mutt, demanded that he step down as head of the Mutt.
Gundlupet Police Inspector Jayakumar and constables arrived at Chowdahalli and spoke to the villagers as well as the seer, who agreed to step down if the villagers objected to his heading the Mutt. He is also learned to have returned to his native place after the incident in Gundlupet.
Officials who probed the matter have found documents relating to his taking ‘deeksha’, participating in a religious event with other seers and also his background.
Mahadeva Prasad, a native of Chowdahalli who currently lives in Australia, had provided land and financial aid to build the Gurumalleshwara Dasoha Mutt, which was established a year ago. The Mutt was initially headed by Akkamahadevi Mathaji, who stepped down for personal reasons, after which, Nijalinga Swamy took charge of the Mutt.
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Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
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According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
