Normally, most of the spiritual seers heading traditional mutts try to keep themselves away from controversies. They focus more on spreading spiritualism and Hindu dharma.
But some seers get into trouble by making controversial and unwarranted comments about others.
Like renowned Vaishnavaite seer Sri Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, who shot into limelight with the inauguration of 216-ft high statue of Saint Ramanujacharya at his Muchintal ashram on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
The other day, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy incurred the wrath of the believes of other philosophies – Advaita and Dwaita of Hinduism, propounded by Adi Shankaracharya and Madhvacharya respectively.
He declared that only Ramanujacharya should be called Jagadguru and rest all others are fake. His comments kicked up controversy and he came in for sharp criticism from other Hindu groups, who questioned his narrowmindedness.
There was also other controversy on Chinna Jeeyar for questioning the eating habits of the human beings.
He said those who eat meat, pork and chicken will behave like goats, pigs and hens which thrive on weeds, garbage and dirt. It also led to massive criticism.
For the last couple of days, another video clipping of Chinna Jeeyar Swamy has been doing rounds and in that he was found commenting on Sammakka Saralamma jatara. He described them as “bad” and declared that they are not goddesses at all.
He went on commenting that people are making business on these village deities who have not descended from heaven.
“It is unfortunate that even politicians and big business people are running after these cheap deities,” he said.
On Wednesday, several Adivasi and tribal associations lashed out at Chinna Jeeyar Swamy for running down their traditional deities Sammakka Saralamma. They demanded that he should apologise for his comments and withdraw the same.
They reminded that Sammakka Saralamma were revered as goddesses for protecting the tribals from oppressive rulers.
“It is the biggest tribal festival in the entire Asia. He has insulted lakhs of tribals,” they said.
The associations burnt the effigies of Chinna Jeeyar Swamy and put up a garland of chappals around his portrait. They demanded action against the seer.
