Lakshmivara Theertha Swami (55), the pontiff of Shirur Math (one of the Astha Maths of Udupi) passed away at Kasturba hospital, Manipal on Thursday morning. However, the doctors who treated the seer expressed suspicion that it could be a case of poisoning.
The seer was admitted to Kasturba hospital on Tuesday in a critical condition.
According to a press release issued by the hospital, Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji was brought to Kasturba hospital at 1 am on July 18 from a private hospital in Udupi. "On arrival he was found to be critically ill with breathlessness, severe hypotension and massive gastrointestinal bleeding. He had a history of diarrhoea prior to this episode. All routine investigations were done. A team of doctors from Kasturba hospital provided medical care in the form of ventilator support, blood transfusion and dialysis. There is suspicion of poisoning and toxicological samples have been sent. However, his condition continued to deteriorate rapidly in spite of best efforts from the medical team. He was declared dead at 8 am on July 19," the release stated.
Former Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj demanded an impartial probe into the death of the pontiff.
Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister G. Parameshwara said, "I was shocked to hear the news of his death. Some of his followers are raising questions over his sudden death. We will initiate a probe if need be."
Lakshmivara Theertha was the 30th pontiff of Shirur Math, one among the Ashta (eight) mutts of Udupi established by Madhwacharya, founder of Dvaita (dualism) philosophy. He was initiated into 'Sanyasa ashram' at the age of eight. In the last 47 years, Lakshmivara swami has performed three 'paryayas' at Sri Krishna temple.
The seer courted controversies by making derogatory remarks about other seers of the Astha Maths. He had an ongoing tussle with the seers of other Maths over the idols of presiding deities kept in Sri Krishna temple. However, his lawyer claimed that the seer had confided with him saying his life was under threat.
According to sources, the seer had given the idols of presiding deities of the Shiroor Math to the junior seer of Admar Math Ishapriya Tirtha Swami and asked him to keep them in the Krishna temple citing ill health. But after his recovery, when he asked the junior seer to return the idols, the seers of the Astha Maths refused to do so and insisted that he should appoint his junior.
"Just two days ago, the seer had asked me to file criminal case against the seers of six of the Astha Maths(barring Puttige Math). He was unhappy with the seers refusing to return the idols to Shirur Math," said Ravikiran Murudeshwara, seer's advocate.
Lakshmivara swami, who was a music enthusiast who also played drums and guitar, surprised everyone when he announced that he would contest the assembly elections in March this year. He had alleged that the Udupi unit of BJP was “mired in corruption” and had no concern for the people or their problems and hence, he had decided to contest the elections. After the BJP refused him a ticket, he had plans to contest as an independent. But he withdrew his nomination in the last minute.