The famous Gachhinamath here was witness to a huge controversy on Thursday when Shivabasava Swamiji of Hosamath in Haveri arrived here along with 20 other people to replace the pontiff, Channabasava Mahaswamiji.
Shivabasava Swamiji and his supporters, who took charge of the mutt, ordered to stop the midday meals supplied to schools started by Channabasava Mahaswamiji. The utensils and vehicles used for supplying the midday meals were taken out of the mutt premises.
Earlier, Channabasava Swamiji, who was the chief of the mutt, was removed from the post by Shivamurthy Sharana of Chitradurga as the former was said to be involved in the transfer of Mahalingpur mutt to Swami Nityananda two months ago. Shivamurthy Sharana of Chitradurga who heads the Athani Gachhinamath, had relieved Channabasava Swamiji as head of Gachhinamath and appointed Shivabasava Swamiji of Hosamath as the successor. However, Channabasava Swamiji was given two months time to vacate the mutt, which ended on May 12.
Gurulinga Devaru, a supporter of Channabasava Swamiji, alleged that Shivabasava Swamiji and his supporters unauthorisedly entered the mutt at 2.30 am and threw the utensil and materials used to prepare midday meals, outside the mutt. Because of this, as many as 15,000 students did not receive their midday meals on Thursday, he said. However, Shivabasava Swamiji denied Gurulinga Devaru’s charges and said he had only come to assume charge of the mutt. Other devotees of the mutt said Channabasava Swamiji was asked to vacate the mutt on or before May 12 but he did heed the directive. They said Channabasava Swamiji was asked to go to Akki Mutt near Haveri. Channabasava Swamiji was unavailable for comment. Police are keeping a vigil on the mutt.