Lingayat seer forced to leave Karnataka mutt after devotees learn about his Muslim background
Nijalinga Swamy, who had served as the seer of the year-old mutt in Gundlupet taluka for just six weeks, took his religious vows five years ago, at age 17. Originally from Yadgir district, he had dedicated himself to spreading the teachings of Lingayat social reformer Basavanna through vachanas or devotional poems across Karnataka.
The controversy erupted last week when a local resident discovered the seer's former identity on seeing his Aadhaar card, which revealed his birth name and former religion. This discovery led to opposition from a section of devotees who claimed that they were unaware of his background before the appointment.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Nijalinga Swamy said he was born in a Muslim family as Mohammed Nisar. 'At a very young age, I was attracted towards Basavanna and his ideas. I used to perform puja just like any Lingayat. My parents were frightened and they sent me to a madrassa to study. It gave me another dimension, and at the age of 17, I took deeksha (initiation) to become a Lingayat.'
Mahadev Prasad, a philanthropist who resides in Australia, had donated land to build a mutt in Chamarajanagar district's Chowdahalli. After establishing Gurumalleshwara Shakha mutt, Nijalinga Swamy was appointed its head as he was already following Lingayat rituals at a mutt in Basavakalyan, Bidar.
'They approached my Guru to suggest a seer for the mutt, and he suggested my name. Some well-wishers told me not to reveal my previous identity (as a Muslim) and to work for the betterment of the mutt,' he said.
The seer had two mobiles phone, one of which he used before taking deeksha. One of his employees sought Nijalinga Swamy's mobile phone last week as his device was not working and the seer gave him the old mobile phone. On going through the phone, the employee saw the Aadhaar card, photos of Nisar in a skull cap and another one holding a bottle of beer. He immediately informed the mutt's devotees.
On being confronted, the seer admitted that he was a Muslim before accepting the Lingayat faith. He also clarified that he had not engaged in any 'unholy' activity, like drinking beer, after his religious conversion. However, by then, the devotees had forced him to step down.
'I left my parents and Islam only because I believe in Basavanna's ideology. I will continue to do so and nobody can stop me from doing that. A lot of seers and people from the Lingayat community have come to my support. In fact, another Lingayat mutt in Rane Bennur (Haveri district) has given me shelter now. I will continue to follow Basavanna and his ideas,' Nijalinga Swamy said.
However, once the matter triggered a controversy, he said some people started spreading rumours against his character and even falsely claimed that he had carried out financial misappropriation. 'I will not give up, but will live the rest of my life to propagate Basavanna's ideas,' he added.
Some Muslims, especially in North Karnataka, are ardent followers of the 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, who advocated for equality regardless of caste or religious background. Some of them have also taken deeksha.
In 2020, Diwan Sharief Rahimsab Mulla, a 33-year-old former autorickshaw driver, took Deeksha, becoming the fourth Muslim to head a Lingayat mutt in 300 years.
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