Siddalinga Swami criticizes Revoor for remarking on Qamar-ul-Islam

Shiv Sena State President I am not like Swami | Photo credit: PHOTO FILE

Shiv Sena state president Siddalinga Swami on Wednesday slammed former BJP MLA Dattatreya Patil Revoor for referring to former minister Qamar-ul-Islam during a protest that the late leader’s name is being used for political purposes.

At a press conference in Kalaburagi, Siddalinga Swami dared Mr. Revoor to answer Home Minister Priyank Kharge’s repeated questions about the registration of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), instead of referring to a statement allegedly made by the deceased leader.

He said Mr. Revoor should address the issues raised by Mr. Kharg rather than referring to the late leader’s remarks for political gains.

“Mr. Revoor shared the dais with Qamar-ul-Islam when he was alive. If he had any objections to his views or statements, why didn’t he raise it then?” asked Siddalinga Swami.

Siddalinga Swami said Mr. Revoor’s remark drew criticism from Qamar-ul-Islam supporters. He said Mr Revoor’s supporters later approached religious leaders for a statement in his favour. He said those religious leaders who benefited from Mr. Revoor’s tenure as MLA and Chairman of the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) should clarify their stand on the issue.

Questioning the silence of some religious leaders, Siddalinga Swami asked why Sulphul Mutt head Sri Mahant Shivacharya, whom he described as close to Mr. Revoor, had not issued a statement in support of him.

Reacting to Mr. Revoor’s claim that certain groups were targeting him on social media platforms because of the Congress rule in the state and his decision to approach Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the matter, Siddalinga Swami accused him of adopting a selective approach to political issues.

He questioned why Mr Revoor remained silent when there were protests against Mr Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kalaburagi, but is now seeking the intervention of BJP leaders at the Center after facing criticism for his own remarks.

“When such protests and remarks were made against top BJP leaders, why did he not react? Now when he is facing criticism, he is seeking support by invoking the names of leaders at the Centre,” criticized Mr. Siddalinga Swami.

Siddalinga Swami also said that the Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha in Kalaburagi has split into two groups with one siding with the BJP leaders and the other with the Congress leaders.

He said both groups selectively participate in political protests while remaining silent when poor and vulnerable members of the community face hardships.

Published – 17 Jun 2026 22:27 IST