• Source:JND
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Bengaluru News: A statue of Lingayat seer Shivakumar Swami was vandalised in Bengaluru's Siddaganga Mutt area on November 30. The accused, Srikrishna, a 37-year-old delivery executive from Andhra Pradesh, was apprehended by the police. His actions and explanation for the crime have left both officials and locals in shock. During questioning, Srikrishna claimed he was "inspired" to deface the statue after dreaming of Jesus Christ.

According to the police, Srikrishna approached the statue of Shivakumar Swami around 1:30 AM, partially damaging it before leaving the scene. The following morning, residents discovered the damage, leading to protests in the area. Angry locals demanded immediate action, which prompted the police to arrest Srikrishna. He was later produced in court and remanded in judicial custody.

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During interrogation, Srikrishna claimed that a vision of Jesus Christ in his dream inspired him to damage the statue. His statement has puzzled both the police and the public, raising questions about his motives. Bengaluru police have confirmed that a medical examination of the accused has been carried out, with further assessments underway to determine if mental health issues were involved. However, they have cautioned against drawing conclusions too soon.

Dr Peter Machado, the Archbishop of Bengaluru, condemned the act, calling the accused’s justification "baseless and reprehensible." He urged people not to be misled by such provocative statements, which he believed were aimed at spreading communal tensions. The Archbishop stated that Shivakumar Swami was a symbol of peace and compassion and the act of vandalism was unacceptable.

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Shivakumar Swami, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 111, was highly respected for his contributions to education and charity, particularly for the underprivileged. He was often referred to as a “walking god” for his deep spiritual influence and charitable work.

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