After devotees learn about Muslim background, Lingayat seer forced to leave Karnataka mutt

A young seer in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district stepped down from his role at a mutt on Monday after some villagers raised objections over his past religious identity. The 22-year-old, known as Nijalinga Swamy, had been serving at a newly established mutt in Gundlupet taluka for about six weeks.

He had taken his religious vows at the age of 17, taking Basava deeksha, and had since been devoted to promoting the teachings of the 12th-century reformer Basavanna through vachanas across the state. Originally from Yadgir district, he had been actively involved in spiritual work for the past five years.

The issue arose when a local villager reportedly saw the seer’s Aadhaar card, which revealed his original name and that he had been born into a Muslim family.

This revelation sparked discontent among a section of devotees, some of whom claimed they had not been informed of his religious background before he was appointed to the mutt.

Speaking with The Indian Express, Nijalinga Swamy shared that he was originally born into a Muslim family and was named Mohammed Nisar. He explained that from a young age, he felt a strong spiritual connection with Basavanna and began practising Lingayat rituals, including performing puja.

Concerned by his growing interest in another faith, his parents enrolled him in a madrassa, which he said broadened his spiritual understanding. At 17, he formally embraced Lingayatism by taking deeksha.

According to Swamy, philanthropist Mahadev Prasad, who lives in Australia, had donated land in Chowdahalli village of Chamarajanagar district to establish the Gurumalleshwara Shakha mutt. Since Swamy was already performing Lingayat rituals at a mutt in Basavakalyan, Bidar, his guru recommended him as the head of the new mutt.

Swamy noted that some supporters advised him to keep his previous identity private and focus instead on serving the mutt and the community.

Nijalinga Swamy reportedly had two mobile phones—one he used prior to taking deeksha. According to sources close to the mutt, an employee had borrowed this older phone last week because his own was not functioning.

While using the device, the employee came across photos and documents from the seer’s past, including an Aadhaar card identifying him as Mohammed Nisar, images of him wearing a skull cap, and another picture allegedly showing him holding a beer bottle. These discoveries were shared with the mutt’s devotees.

When questioned, the seer acknowledged that he had been born into a Muslim family but emphasised that he had fully embraced the Lingayat faith after his conversion.

He insisted that he had not engaged in any inappropriate or "unholy" behaviour—such as drinking alcohol—after taking deeksha. Despite his explanation, the backlash from devotees led to his resignation.

Speaking to the press, Nijalinga Swamy stated that his departure from Islam and his family had been a personal choice rooted in his belief in Basavanna’s teachings.

He expressed his determination to continue living by those ideals, saying he would not be deterred by the controversy. He also revealed that many within the Lingayat community had offered support and that he had been given refuge by another Lingayat mutt in Rane Bennur, located in Haveri district.

Following the controversy, Nijalinga Swamy alleged that attempts were made to tarnish his reputation. He said certain individuals began circulating false rumours about his character, including unfounded allegations of financial misconduct.

Despite these challenges, he asserted that he remained committed to his spiritual path and vowed to dedicate his life to spreading the teachings of Basavanna.

Observers note that Nijalinga Swamy's case is not isolated. In North Karnataka, some Muslims are known to be devoted followers of the 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, who championed equality across caste and religion. A few have even undergone deeksha to formally adopt the Lingayat faith.

One such example is Diwan Sharief Rahimsab Mulla, a former autorickshaw driver who made headlines in 2020 when he took deeksha and became the fourth Muslim in 300 years to head a Lingayat mutt.