In a significant move, Hindutva leaders have called on the Karnataka government to revoke a restraining order issued against Sri Adrushya Kadasiddeshwar Swami, the esteemed seer of Kaneri Math. The order bars the seer from entering the Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts for a period of two months. This demand was voiced during a recent meeting held in Belagavi, followed by a press conference.
Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, an expelled BJP MLA, joined several other BJP leaders in strong condemnation of the order. They collectively warned of widespread agitation if the directive is not withdrawn.
Chakravarthi Sulibele, a renowned orator and founder of the NAMO brigade, characterized the restraining order not merely as an action against an individual, but as an affront to the entire Hindu community. He stated, “The entire Hindu community condemns it.”
Sulibele further alleged that this order is part of a broader strategy by the Congress government in the State to create rifts among Hindus. He emphasized that past attempts to divide society have consistently failed, and such targeting of Hindu monks will not be tolerated, warning of a potential revolt from the Hindu community.
He criticized the order for infringing upon the seer’s fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and movement, and stressed that such arbitrary actions would not go unchallenged.
Sulibele outlined a series of protest actions, beginning with a signature campaign, followed by a formal memorandum to officials, and culminating in a grand “Basavadi Sharana mela.”
Sri Adrushya Kadasiddeshwar Swami speaking at a Sant Sammelana in Belagavi. file photo
He explicitly accused M.B. Patil, the Vijayapura district in-charge minister, of orchestrating these restraining orders. Sulibele declared that the proposed mega rally would be held in Babaleshwar, Patil’s own constituency, stating, “We will end it where it began.”
Yatnal echoed suspicions of political motives behind the order, speculating that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, perhaps apprehensive of D.K. Shivakumar or Satish Jarkiholi’s ascent to the CM post, is tacitly supporting M.B. Patil to consolidate his position as a state-level leader. He alleged that Patil is overconfident and abusing his authority by misusing officials to curb Hindu seers.
Yatnal affirmed their acceptance of Patil’s challenge to hold a rally in Babaleshwar, noting Patil’s alleged intention to organize a counter-rally involving a “Basava army and Bheem army.”
He dismissed the movement for a separate Lingayat religion as a political maneuver backed by the Congress. “We will also hold a mega rally in Davangere and inform the government about the dangers of attempting to divide Lingayats and Hindu society,” he stated.
Furthermore, Yatnal asserted that there is no historical evidence to support the claim that Basavanna founded a new faith. He argued that Basavanna’s true aim was to eliminate social evils within Hinduism, and accused certain Lingayat seers of misrepresenting Basavanna’s teachings, thereby misleading innocent Lingayats.