Manikeshwari Ashram devotees demand removal of president, audit of funds

A group of devotees of the Mata Manikeshwari Ashram at Yanagundi in Sedam taluk staged a protest in Kalaburagi city on Wednesday, demanding the removal of Ashram president Shivayya Swami. The protesters allege irregularities in the handling of donations and funds, and are calling for a formal inquiry.

The core grievance centres on the claim that Mr. Shivayya dissolved the existing trust and formed a new one with his own nominees, bypassing the consent of original members and established procedure. Devotees are demanding an investigation into how the new trust was constituted and the restoration of the earlier management.

Devotee Shivakumar Patil Telkur said, "We want a transparent inquiry into the funds and donations received by the ashram and the manner in which the new trust was formed without the consent of old trust members."

Another devotee, Parvath Reddy, has called for a comprehensive audit of all offerings, including cash, gold, silver, and hundi collections. Specific attention has been drawn to the finances related to the proposed installation of a 'Koti Linga' on the ashram hill. Reddy stressed that every donation received in the ashram's name should be properly accounted for, with its utilisation disclosed to devotees.

The protesters are urging the authorities to remove Mr. Shivayya from management pending the inquiry and to take appropriate action if the allegations are substantiated. They also seek the reconstitution of the management in line with the trust's rules and the ashram's traditional practices.