Raichur (Karnataka), March 20 – An incident has been reported in Raichur district of Karnataka in which a 58-year-old religious leader committed suicide by hanging himself at his temple on Friday, leaving the local people in shock.
The deceased, identified as Devendrappa Swamy (58), was the pontiff of the Jagadguru Shivananda Math in Bassapur (EJ) village in the Sindhanur taluk of the district.
According to police, Devendrappa Swamy, who was reportedly suffering from depression, had established the math while still in government service. He was the headmaster of the Government Higher Primary School in Mullur (EJ) village.
Over time, he became detached from worldly life and founded the math. After school hours, he would deliver religious discourses at the math in the evenings.
Originally from Gulaguli village in Gajendragad of Gadag district, Devendrappa had been working as a teacher in Sindhanur taluk for the past 20 years. He had been living away from his family, and the exact reason for his suicide is not yet known. However, devotees and villagers suspect depression as a possible cause.
His body was found hanging in the dining hall of the math. A case has been registered at the Turvihal Police Station.
It may be recalled that in 2022, allegedly pained at his name being dragged into a sex scandal, Guru Madivaleshwara Mutt Pontiff Basava Siddalinga Swamiji committed suicide by hanging himself in his room in Neginahala village in Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
The audio clip containing an alleged conversation between two women discussing how women and girls were exploited at the Chitradurga mutt went viral on social media. The two women brought up the name of deceased Basava Siddalinga Swamiji in the discussion, which cast aspersions on his reputation and honour, said police sources.
The pontiff, who ended his life, was deeply affected by the development, and devotees of the mutt had lodged a complaint with the Deputy Superintendent of Police of Bylahongala in Belagavi district, seeking action against those targeting Lingayat pontiffs.