Tension gripped the Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Guru Peetha in Harihara as trust members presented financial accounts in the face of fierce opposition from devotees loyal to ousted Vachanananda Swamiji.
The monastery turned into a charged arena, with rival groups gathering in large numbers and police deployed to prevent violence. The unrest follows the launch of the ‘Lekka Kodi' movement, demanding transparency from the trust after Vachanananda Swami's removal. Though the protesters stayed within the monastery premises, they stayed away from the formal meeting and rejected the exercise, declaring they would not accept what they called fraudulent accounts.
As the public meeting began Monday, supporters of the Swamiji tried to interrupt the proceedings, while trust backers held their ground. There were repeated police interventions, warning both sides and trying to maintain calm. The confrontation escalated towards the end of the meeting when the Swamiji's supporters rushed forward again. Stone-pelting broke out, and some individuals reportedly tried to break the wooden barricades to force entry.
Tension escalated further when trust members openly declared that the ousted Swamiji must vacate the mutt. This triggered a strong reaction from Swamiji supporters, who joined devotees in asserting that Vachanananda Swamiji would not be removed. Order was restored only after the trust members and their supporters left the meeting venue.
Meanwhile, Union minister V Somanna called principal trustee B C Umapathi while the latter was speaking on stage. During the call, Umapathi told the minister: "I have listened to your words and those of Murugesh Nirani. Should I remain silent even if the dignity of our community is compromised? If we don't express our grievances, how will our community know?"
Vachanananda Claims Accounts Fudged
Deposed Vachanananda Swamiji of the Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Guru Peetha alleged trust members presented a fraudulent book of accounts. Terming trust members thieves, he said: "We won't accept this account." He raised questions over the way donations from devotees for building the monastery were accounted for in the account books. "If it is transparent, why not provide it in the written form?" he said angrily.
