The Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peetha Trust has made a significant decision, opting to remove Sri Basava Jaya Mrutyunjay Swami from his position as president. This announcement came from MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar, who also serves as the trust’s president, speaking in Hungund, Bagalkot district, on Sunday.
According to the MLA, this unanimous decision was reached during a pivotal trust meeting held on Saturday at Kudalasangama in Hungund.
During the meeting, trust members leveled several serious accusations against the seer. These included claims that he had allegedly acquired properties in his own name and those of his family, rather than in the name of the trust. Furthermore, concerns were raised that he had purportedly veered away from traditional Lingayat ideology, instead embracing Hindutva principles.
Additional grievances against the spiritual leader highlighted his alleged failure to consult other trust members, his absence from Kudalasangama, and his perceived overt involvement in politics, reportedly showing favoritism towards a particular party.
Every one of the 30 trust members attended the crucial gathering.
“The resolution received unanimous support from all members after thorough discussion,” stated Mr. Kashappanavar, who also chairs the Karnataka Veerashaiva Lingayat Development Corporation.
When questioned about the authority behind the expulsion, Mr. Kashappanavar asserted, “I was the one who appointed the seer to lead the Panchamasali Peetha, and therefore, I possess the full authority to remove him.”
The MLA confirmed the presence of key figures at the meeting, including trust secretary Neelkanth Asuti and former MLC M.P. Nadagouda, among others.