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News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Karnataka Lingayat Seer Forced To Step Down After His Muslim Identity Gets Revealed
Born Mohammed Nisar in Shahpur, Yadgir district, he had embraced the teachings of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and formally adopted the Lingayat faith five years ago. 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. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Lingayat seer forced to leave Karnataka mutt after devotees learn about his Muslim background
A 22-year-old seer was compelled to leave his position at a mutt in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar on Monday after villagers objected to his appointment upon learning of his Muslim background prior to taking the basava deeksha (religious initiation). 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.
