Several Basava-Lingayat groups across Karnataka are protesting against a Lingayat seer’s remarks that allegedly insulted Lingayat seers and followers of Basavanna, the 12th-century reformer widely regarded as the founder of the Lingayat faith.

The remarks were made by Kadasiddheshwara Swamiji of Kaneri Matha in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, during an event on October 9 in Biluru village, Jath taluk, Sangli district.

The seer reportedly accused the Lingayat Mathadhishara Okkuta of being a “nataka thanda” (meaning dubious group or drama company) that was propped up by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He said that they were travelling across the state telling people not to go to temples and to throw away the idols of gods, Kannada daily Vijaya Karnataka reported. At one point, he is reported to have

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