Bangalore: Opposing to the ritual of a swamiji being carried around in a palanquin by his followers proved costly for a senior activist and human rights lawyer T. Naramsimha Murthy, as he was allegedly beaten black and blue by the seer’s followers for questioning the swamiji during the adda pallaki utsav that took place in Basavanagudi on Saturday.
Senior activist and human rights advocate T. Narasimha Murthy claims the seer of Rambhapuri math allegedly encouraged his followers to thrash him for confronting the swamiji while he was on the palanquin surrounded by hundreds of devotees.
The victim had in fact filed a petition with the Karnataka state human rights commission (KSHRC) on October 10 asking for a ban on the controversial adda pallaki utsav on the grounds that it was an old ritual; and that a few human beings carrying one hale and hearty human being is inhuman and uncivilized. The hearing for the case was reportedly scheduled to be on December 20, but got postponed.
“Around 3.30 pm on December 21, I got a call informing me that the ritual was taking place in Basavanagudi so I rushed there alone. I managed to get through the crowd and asked Jagadguru Balehonnur Rambhapuri Swamiji when he was on the palanquin, if it was fair to other human beings that he was being carried around like a God. Immediately, blows began raining on me from all sides, as his enraged followers kicked and punched my chest, legs, and face,” recalled Murthy.
The seer reportedly egged his followers on, shouting, “Beat him! Don’t spare him!” and is said to have watched as the bruised victim crumpled to a heap on the ground. “Although there were some police personnel present, they did not come to my aid. They were mute spectators to the entire assault,” he alleged.
A wounded Murthy then reportedly dragged himself to the Shankarpuram police station, where he filed a complaint against the seer and his followers. He was then accompanied by the police to Victoria Hospital where he received treatment for his injuries, he said, “So far, I have not received word on the progress of my case, but I am confident of being able to identify at least two or three of my attackers,” Murthy added. “We have registered the victim’s complaint and are conducting a detailed enquiry into the incident,” said a senior police officer.
