‘Never hid my past’: Seer ousted from Chamarajanagar mutt after Aadhaar reveals Muslim roots; claims followers knew the truth | Mysuru News

22-year-old seer Nijalinga Swamiji was compelled to resign from a mutt in Chamarajanagar district after villagers raised objections regarding his prior Muslim identity

MYSURU: A 22-year-old seer was forced to quit a mutt at Gundlupet taluka in Chamarajanagar district on Sunday after a section of villagers objected to his role, citing his religious status as a Muslim prior to taking Basava Deeksha.Nijalinga Swamiji, 22, had taken ‘deeksha’ five years ago and was named Nijalinga Swamiji. He had joined the year-old mutt as its new seer a-month-and-a-half ago. However, he was forced to quit after his status as a Muslim before taking Basava Deeksha came to light, with some devotees alleging that he had not informed them about his religion by birth during anointment. The seer in question, though, told TOI everyone knew about his pre- ‘deeksha’ religion as he never hid it. Chamarajanagar SP BT Kavita said no police complaint was registered in connection with the incident. The Swamiji, who hails from Kalaburagi district, is an ardent follower of ‘vachanas’ and ‘sharanas’. After taking ‘deeksha’, he was involved in the propagation of ‘vachanas’ across the state.

“One of the devotees at the mutt approached my guru to send a seer to the mutt, and in keeping with the Guru’s wish, I joined. I was involved in spreading ‘vachana’s in the villages,” the Swamiji said. He further told TOI: “Recently, a boy came across my Aadhaar Card details, where my pre-Basava Deeksha name was mentioned. He informed the villagers about it and a section of villagers forced me to quit the mutt.” “An ardent follower of Basavanna’s principles, I was hurt by the incident as I took ‘deeksha’ to spread the ‘vachana’s that preach brotherhood. I am totally cut off from my pre- ‘deeksha’ religion,” the Swamiji said, adding: “I was forced to quit the mutt on the ground that I didn’t disclose my pre-Basava Deeksha religion, but everyone knows about my pre-Basava Deeksha religion. I never hid it.”