Gachhina Mutt head's death sets devotees against successor

Followers of Prabhu Channabasava, head of Gachhina Mutt in Athani in Belgaum district, who died on Thursday, have alleged that interference in the mutt’s affairs by another Lingayat seer, Murugha Rajendra of Chitradurga, had led to their seer’s demise.

Prabhu Channabasava succumbed to death after cardiac arrest on Thursday morning, but devotees of the mutt allege that pressure from Shivabasava Swami, who was appointed as successor for the mutt by Murugha Rajendra recently, had contributed to the death of Prabhu Channabasava. Gram Panchayat member Vasant Kate told reporters that Channabasava was pressurised by Murugha Rajendra to transfer his responsibilities to his successor.

“He was in a serious depression after the entry of Shivabasava Swami and even had though of committing suicide. However, worrying about his credibility in society, he had decided against ending his life,” Kate said.

Prabhu Channabasava was ousted from the Mutt by a faction of devotees, supported by Murugha Rajendra, after he visited the godman Nityananda at Bidadi near Bangalore. His name was also involved in a recent controversy surrounding Mahalingeshwar Mutt at Mahalingpur in Bagalkot district.

Sources in the mutt said that the mortal remains of the seer would be burried at Agadi in Haveri district on Friday. Devotees added that they will not allow Shivabasava Swami to perform the last rites.

Devotees who spoke to the media released photographs of the new seer, Shivabasava Swami, alleging that he was seen in company of women during his recent trip to north India.

They also claimed that he was sacked from Hosmath in Haveri in 2008 for allegedly
being in a relationship with a female BEd Student. He was later appointed the head of
Hosadurg Mutt, before being named successor to Prabhu Channabasava after the latter’s removal as head of Gachhina mutt.