Karnataka Lingayat Seer Forced To Step Down After His Muslim Identity Gets Revealed
A 22-year-old Lingayat seer, known as Nijalinga Swamy, was forced to step down from his position at a mutt in Karnataka after villagers discovered his Muslim background.
Born Mohammed Nisar in Shahpur, Yadgir district, the young man had embraced the teachings of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and formally adopted the Lingayat faith five years ago. He was given the spiritual name Nijalinga Swamy by Basavaprabhu Swamy of Basavakalyan, under whose guidance he studied and committed himself to the tenets of Lingayat philosophy — a tradition that historically emphasises equality, social justice, and personal devotion to Shiva.
Nijalinga Swamy was recently appointed as the head of the newly constructed Gurumalleshwara Shakha Mutt in Chowdahalli village, Chamarajanagar district. The mutt, built by a villager named Mahadev Prasad who currently resides abroad, was meant to serve as a spiritual centre rooted in the inclusive ethos of Lingayatism.
For nearly a month and a half, the young seer led prayers, performed rituals, and preached Basavanna's teachings to the local community. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when a group of local youths obtained a copy of his SSLC (10th-grade) marks card, revealing his birth name and previous religious identity. This disclosure triggered objections from a section of the villagers, who expressed discomfort with a person of Muslim origin leading a Lingayat mutt.
In response to the uproar, Nijalinga Swamy addressed the controversy directly. He said that he never concealed his background and had sincerely embraced Lingayat philosophy out of genuine spiritual conviction. Yet, respecting the sentiments of the devotees and to avoid further discord, he voluntarily relinquished his position and returned to his hometown in Yadgir district.
Speaking to local media, he reiterated his dedication to Basavanna's ideals. 'I will continue to live by and spread Basavanna's message, regardless of where I am," he affirmed.
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