Overview

• Nijalinga Swamy, born Mohammed Nisar in Shahpur, Yadgir district, embraced Lingayatism at age 17 and was appointed head of the newly built Gurumalleshwara Shakha Mutt in Chowdahalli six weeks ago.
• Villagers discovered his Muslim background by examining his Aadhaar card and SSLC marks sheet, which listed his birth name and previous religion.
• Facing objections from devotees uncomfortable with a former Muslim leading their faith institution, he voluntarily relinquished his role and returned to Yadgir district.
• He has since taken refuge in another Lingayat mutt and affirmed that he never hid his past identity and remains dedicated to spreading Basavanna’s social reformist ideals.
• The incident underscores persistent local sensitivities over leadership legitimacy despite Lingayatism’s historic emphasis on equality and inclusivity.