Statue Of Revered Seer Shivakumar Swami Vandalised In Bengaluru, Accused Claims Jesus Christ Inspired Him In Dream |
Bengaluru: The statue of revered Lingayat seer Shivakumar Swami of Bengaluru’s Siddaganga Mutt was vandalised on November 30, sparking outrage across Karnataka. The accused, 37-year-old delivery executive Srikrishna, was arrested by the police shortly after the incident. However, his explanation for the act has left both authorities and locals baffled. Srikrishna, a native of Andhra Pradesh, confessed during interrogation, claiming he was ‘inspired’ by a vision of Jesus Christ in a dream to deface the statue.
Details On The Incident
The incident occurred around 1:30 am in Bengaluru’s Veerabhadra Nagar, where Srikrishna allegedly approached the statue and partially defaced it before fleeing the scene. By morning, local residents discovered the damage and raised an alarm. The desecration led to protests in the area, with residents demanding swift justice. Responding swiftly, the police arrested Srikrishna and presented him in court, where he was remanded to judicial custody.
The act and the accused’s justification have been widely condemned. Dr Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore, criticised the rationale provided by Srikrishna, describing it as baseless and reprehensible. He urged people to reject any attempts at communal provocation and emphasized the importance of unity.
“The purpose of such statements is only to spread communal tension and discord. This disrespect towards a saint like Shivakumar Swami Ji, a symbol of peace, compassion, and secular values, is unacceptable,” the Archbishop stated speaking to NDTV.
The police are now investigating whether mental health issues influenced Srikrishna’s actions. A medical examination has been conducted, and further evaluations are ongoing. However, authorities are cautious about attributing the incident solely to psychological factors without a thorough investigation.
Who Is Shivakumar Swami?
Shivakumar Swami, often referred to as the ‘walking god,’ was a deeply respected Lingayat seer renowned for his philanthropy. He dedicated his life to education and feeding the underprivileged, earning widespread reverence across communities. The seer passed away in 2019 at the age of 111, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and service.
