Members of some Lingayat associations have opposed the visit of Kaneri mutt seer Sri Adrushya Kadhsiddheshwar Swamiji to Vijayapura, saying he is facing the charge of insulting other seers.

They warned of a protest if the seer is allowed to speak at a Hindutva convention planned in the district in July.

“A local group called Basavadi Sharana Samavesha organising committee has invited him. It should not be permitted,” Rashtriya Basava Sena president Ravikumar Biradar stated.

“The government of Karnataka should not allow Hindu conferences that are against the principles of Basavanna and other sharana saints, but use the name of these saints. Such attempts to spread Hindutva ideology using Basavanna’s name should be discouraged. The government should ban the entry of Kaneri mutt seer into Karnataka,” he said.

He claimed that the Kaneri mutt seer, who had been charged with insulting Lingayat seers, had been reprimanded by the Supreme Court. “The seer has refused to issue a public apology for his remarks. Several district administrations have banned him from entering their jurisdiction. These orders should be permanent, and not temporary. In fact, till he issues an unconditional apology, he should not be allowed to enter Karnataka,” he said.

“Basavanna was a great social reformer who fought against caste, colour and superstition. It is not right to try to limit his principles to any one religion or political ideology. Allowing Hindutva rallies to use the name of Basavanna in such programmes is likely to hurt the sentiments of the Lingayat community,” he said.

Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha district president Basavanagouda Haranal is among the others who are opposed to the visit of Sri Adrushya Kadhsiddheshwar Swamiji to Vijayapura.