Bengaluru Man Arrested for Vandalizing Shivakumar Swami Statue
The accused claimed a vision of Jesus Christ in a dream inspired the act, prompting protests and an ongoing investigation into his mental health.
Overview
- The statue of revered Lingayat seer Shivakumar Swami in Bengaluru's Veerabhadra Nagar was partially defaced on November 30.
- The accused, a 37-year-old delivery executive named Srikrishna, was arrested after CCTV footage linked him to the crime.
- During interrogation, Srikrishna claimed he was motivated by a vision of Jesus Christ in a dream, a statement condemned by religious leaders as divisive.
- Local residents staged protests demanding strict action, while police initiated an investigation into the accused's mental health.
- Shivakumar Swami, known as the 'Walking God,' was a highly respected figure in Karnataka for his philanthropic and educational contributions before his death in 2019.