Belagavi: Kadasiddheshwar Swamiji of Kanneri Mutt, located on the Maharashtra border in Kolhapur district, has triggered a fresh controversy by comparing Lingayat seers who follow Basava philosophy to “Talibanis.” Speaking at a Hanuma Mala Deeksha programme organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad in Raibag town on Sunday, the seer said, “Those who wear Hanuma Mala never walk the wrong path or fall into bad habits, but some Basava Talibanis, who dress like us, criticise this practice too.” Recently, the administrations of Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts restricted the seer’s entry following earlier controversial remarks made against Lingayat seers.
