Attack on Thontadarya seer slammed

Addressing the media, he described the attack as a “heinous” act and charged Shivayoga Mandira president Sanganabasava Swami and legislator Veeranna Charantimath with planning the attack and demanded that they be arrested.

He said Shivayoga Mandira which was founded by the late Hangal Kumara Swami had been turned into a centre of casteism by one sect of Lingayats. He defended the statement of the seer of the Thontadarya Mutt calling for the resignation of the presidents of the All-India Veerashaiva Mahasabha and the Shivayoga Mandira.

He said in protest against the attack, he and seer Murugharajendra Swami of Jidaga Mutt would not participate in the Monday’s function at Shivayoga Mandira. None of the seers in the State who were known to be progressive should participate in the function, he said. Shivasharanappa Kalburgi, Somanna Nadamatti, Sidramappa Balapagol and Ravindra Shabadi were present.