The seer of a Lingayat Mutt was found dead in his quarters at the Mutt in Neginhal village near Bailhongal in Belagavi district on Monday morning.
Sri Basava Siddalinga Swami, 28, seer of Sri Guru Madiwaleshwar Math was found dead by his devotees in the early hours. His attendants forced open the door and retrived his body. Followers and villagers soon gathered outside the Math.
In an informal discussion with his followers recently, he had expressed displeasure at his life. He was upset that his name had appeared in an audio clip in which two women had spoken about the character of some seers and their alleged illicit relationships. Police suspect this could be reason behind the seer’s decision to end his life.
A case is being registered.
Final rites
Babasaheb Patil, former zilla panchayat member and a follower of the seer, said the final rites would be conducted at Neginahal on Tuesday. A police officer said a chit was found in the seer’s quarters which could have been written by the deceased. “It is signed by the seer and says that no one else is responsible for his decision and that he did not seek any action against anyone. He asked forgiveness from his mother and followers of the mutt and asked the followers and well-wishers to carry out the mutt activities without hassles,” he said. Meanwhile, the local Basava Kendra members complained to the police, saying the women responsible for the audio clip should face legal action. In a letter to the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Basava Kendra president, Somappa Bagewadi, alleged that two women --- Managundi Satyakka and Gangavati Rudramma, made baseless allegations against the seer that led to this incident. Mr. Bagewadi demanded that the two women be arrested immediately.Superintendent of Police Sanjiv Patil said that all aspects of the case would be investigated.
Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling Arogya Sahayavani - 104
