The Archbishop of Bangalore has strongly condemned the recent vandalism of a statue of Lingayat seer Shivakumar Swami, describing the act as “baseless and reprehensible” following claims by the accused that he was inspired by a vision of Jesus Christ.
“We have learned through media reports of the unfortunate and deeply disturbing incident of the defacement and vandalization of the statue of Late Shri Shivakumara Swamiji in Girinagar, Bangalore,” said Archbishop Peter Machado in a statement last week.
In a report by Matters India, the prelate said the act has “rightfully outraged people across communities, has no place in our society.”
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Nov. 30 in Veerabhadra Nagar, saw 37-year-old Srikrishna, a delivery executive from Andhra Pradesh, partially damaging the statue of the revered seer at Bengaluru’s Siddaganga Mutt.
Residents discovered the defacement the next morning and alerted authorities. Srikrishna was arrested and later claimed during police interrogation that he was “inspired” to commit the act by a vision of Jesus Christ in a dream.
Archbishop Machado denounced the accused’s statement as “both baseless and appalling,” warning that such remarks could be attempts to “sow discord and create communal tension.”
The prelate further urged the public not to be provoked by such acts. “Let us not allow such slanderous statements and provocative actions to disrupt the harmony of our society. Let the law take its due course, and let us stand united in preserving the values of mutual respect and brotherhood,” he appealed.
The Catholic leader praised Shivakumar Swami as a symbol of peace, compassion, and secular values. “His legacy promotes harmony, and any act of disrespect toward him is a violation of the very principles he upheld,” Machado emphasized.
The police are continuing their investigation, including a medical examination of the accused to assess his mental health. Authorities have also pledged to conduct a thorough and impartial probe to ensure accountability.
Archbishop Machado reminded the public of the Christian commitment to Christ’s teachings of universal love and service. “Christians follow Christ’s teachings to love and serve all without discrimination. Any action contrary to this is a betrayal of humanity. Let us collectively work towards fostering understanding and ensuring that Karnataka remains a beacon of tranquillity,” he stated.
Shivakumar Swami, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 111, was widely revered for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education and social welfare.
Often referred to as a “walking God” by his followers, his legacy continues to inspire communities across Karnataka.
Lingayatism, the religious tradition of the seer, is a monotheistic sect of Shaivism within Hinduism that opposes caste discrimination and advocates for social equality.
Lingayats represent a significant portion of Karnataka’s population, constituting approximately 16 percent of the state’s 77.1 million residents, while Christians account for 1.91 percent.
