BENGALURU: Widespread protests have erupted across Karnataka in the past eight days after Adrushya Kadhasiddheshwar Swami, head of Kaneri mutt in Kolhapur, allegedly made derogatory remarks against prominent Lingayat pontiffs and the Basava cultural campaign, sparking outrage across the community. Protests have broken out in taluks and smaller towns in the state.
The excuse offered that it was “his ‘aaadu bhashe’ since he hailed from North Karnataka’’ did not assuage the protesting Lingayat groups. The controversy began with the swami’s October 9 address in Biluru village, Sangli district, where he reportedly mocked the Lingayat Mathadhishara Okkuta — a federation of over 300 Lingayat seers advocating recognition of Lingayatism as a separate faith calling it a “nataka thanda drama troupe”. His speech, laced with expletives and ridicule of Lingayat practices, went viral, provoking anger across social media and mutts.
Minister MB Patil and other Lingayat leaders have criticised the Kaneri pontiff, while other ministers have maintained a cautious silence. The remarks, described by community leaders as “unconstitutional and an insult to Basavanna’s ideals”, have led to protests in Vijayapura, Belagavi, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, Bagalkot and Hungund, led by the Jagatik Lingayat Mahasabha (JLM), Basava Samiti and allied Basava organizations. Demonstrators burnt effigies and submitted memoranda to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.
“Kadhasiddheshwar Swami has brought disgrace to the monastic order and hurt the sentiments of millions,” said Nagratna Bhavikatti, JLM women’s wing president. “If he doesn’t apologise publicly, we will intensify our protests across Karnataka.” In Vijayapura, hundreds had gathered at the deputy commissioner’s office on October 14, demanding action.
The administration invoked Section 163 BNS to ban the seer’s entry into the district until December 14. The Karnataka High Court’s Kalaburagi Bench upheld the ban on October 17, observing that “even ordinary citizens do not use such language”.
The episode comes amid a renewed debate within the 17%-strong Lingayat community over demands for independent religious identity — an issue that has shaped Karnataka’s political and cultural landscape for decades.
As police maintain high alert in Lingayat-dominated districts, community leaders have warned that such unchecked rhetoric could deepen divisions within one of Karnataka’s most influential communities.
