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Tensions escalated at the Panchamasali Gurupitha in Hanavadi near Harihara, Davanagere district, as hundreds of devotees launched a sustained “Lekka Kodi” (Give Accounts) campaign, demanding full disclosure of the mutt’s financial transactions since its establishment in 2008.

The protest turned chaotic during a meeting of the Dharmadarshi Mandali (trustees), leading to scuffles, allegations of assault, and police intervention.

Officers detained more than 100 protesters, including former MLA Shivashankar.

The incident has drawn widespread attention to governance and accountability issues within prominent religious institutions.

Allegations Of Financial Irregularities

Devotees claim that the mutt has received crores of rupees in donations from the Panchamasali community and government grants over the past 18 years.

However, no audited accounts have been made public.

Key allegations include:

Unaccounted devotee donations collected since the mutt’s inception.
Nearly ₹11 crore in state government funds were released under Congress and BJP administrations, with claims that at least ₹5 crore may have been misused.
A ₹1.5 crore contribution from former Ranibennur MLA Arun Kumar, for which no utilisation details were provided.

Protesters argue that the mutt’s assets belong to the entire community and not to any individual or small group of trustees.

“This is the society’s trust, built with the sweat of ordinary devotees. We are not extremists, we are simply asking for accounts,” one protester stated during the demonstration, echoing the widespread sentiment.

Role Of The Peethadhipati And Trustees

Panchamasali Gurupitha head Sri Vachanananda Swamiji, popularly known as Shwasa Guru for his background in yoga, has maintained that he has no role in any financial irregularities.

Devotees supporting the Swamiji say he has consistently advocated for transparency and has distanced himself from monetary matters.

Some trustees, however, have reportedly resisted calls for detailed audits.

The Dharmadarshi Mandali, led by figures including principal Dharmadarshi B.C. Umapathi and others, including Jyoti Prakash and Chandrashekhar Pujar, have faced direct accusations from protesters and from the mutt’s administrator, Dr. Rajkumar.

Police Action And Community Response

The confrontation occurred when devotees gathered in large numbers from across Karnataka to press their demand during a scheduled trustees’ meeting.

The situation deteriorated into a physical scuffle, prompting heavy police deployment.

Authorities described the scene as tense, with the mutt’s premises cordoned off.

Community leaders, including former MLAs and local influencers, have joined the protests, emphasising that the demand is not against the Swamiji or the institution but for greater accountability and good governance.

The “Lekka Kodi” movement has now spread beyond Harihara, with similar calls for transparency resonating among Panchamasali devotees across the state.

As the protest continues, religious and community observers note that the episode highlights a growing demand for professionalism and openness in the management of mutts and religious trusts in Karnataka.

Authorities have appealed for calm, with investigations into the financial claims expected to follow.

The Panchamasali Gurupitha remains a revered centre for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Panchamasali community, and both devotees and administrators agree that restoring trust is essential for its future.

Further developments are awaited as calls for an independent audit gain momentum.