Muslim man found living as Hindu seer in religious mutt in Gundlupet, Karnataka
Gundlupēt, Karnataka, India 
5 August, 2025
Case Summary
A 22-year-old man named Mohammad Nisar was recently ousted from a Hindu religious mutt in Bhairidevarakoppa, Hubballi, after it came to light that he had been residing there for several weeks under the name Nijalinga Swamy. During his stay, he participated in religious activities, wore traditional attire, and interacted with devotees as a Lingayat seer. The deception was uncovered when photographs began circulating, showing him wearing a skull cap and consuming alcohol. When confronted by members of the community, he admitted that his real name was Mohammad Nisar and that he was a Muslim by birth. He claimed to have embraced Lingayatism several years ago but was unable to provide any formal evidence of conversion. Nisar stated that after taking Deeksha from his Guru, He became a Lingayat. He started following Lingayat rituals at a mutt in Basavakalyan, Bidar. An Australia-based philanthropist named Mahadev Prasad had donated land to build a mutt in Chamarajanagar district’s Chowdahalli, on which the Gurumalleshwara Shakha mutt was established. Mohammad Nisar was appointed at the Gurumalleshwara Shakha mutt. He said that his Guru suggested his name for an appointment at the mutt. He added that some well-wishers advised him not to reveal his past Muslim identity and work for the betterment of the mutt. Following these revelations, the mutt’s administration asked him to leave. Local leaders and devotees expressed concern over how he had gained access and maintained his role for so long without proper verification.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This incident contains critical elements that point toward a deliberate violation of religious boundaries, and it raises serious concerns about motive, intent, and communal trust. Mohammad Nisar, a 22-year-old Muslim man, entered and lived within a Hindu religious mutt in Hubballi while concealing his identity. He adopted the attire, mannerisms, and responsibilities of a Lingayat seer, even performing rituals that are strictly reserved for initiated practitioners within the Hindu tradition. By doing so, he crossed deeply sacred thresholds that are not open to public impersonation or unverified participation. This case is currently documented in the undecided database because, despite the apparent motive of religious fraud, the Muslim individual involved claims to have converted to Hinduism prior to his activities at the mutt. If his conversion is genuine, he would have the right to work within the mutt. However, since the police investigation is ongoing and there is no conclusive evidence yet confirming or denying his conversion, the matter remains unresolved. Should further information emerge clarifying his religious status, the case may be reclassified into the hate crime database accordingly. Disclaimer: It is important to clarify that the report does not specify the exact date when thethe exact date since when Nisar was residing in the mutt. Therefore, for documentation purposes, we have recorded the date based on when the incident was reported in the media.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
