Spiritual leader banished from entering Hyderabad for 6 months

A spiritual leader, who was placed under house arrest here ahead of his proposed 'Dharmagraha Yatra,' (padayatra) was externed today from the city for six months for allegedly making provocative statements, police said.

The head of Sri Peetham of Kakinada Swami Paripoornananda was externed from Hyderabad city for next six months under Telangana Prevention of Anti-Social and Hazardous Activities Act, they said.

"Yes... he has been externed from Hyderabad city for six months," Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar told PTI.

On July 9, the Swami was put under house arrest at a house owned by a real estate firm in Jubilee Hills here ahead of his paadayatra, in protest against the recent statements and campaigns in social media and electronic media against Hindu deities.

As part of the externment proceedings the Swami was shifted out of the city, another seniorpolice official said adding the orders were issued over his alleged provocative statements made earlier at different events and meetings across the state.

Swami Paripoornananda had recently demanded arrest of Telugu actor and movie critic Kathi Mahesh, (who too has been externed from Hyderabad), over his alleged statements against Hindu deities and said he "hurt" the sentiments of the Hindus.

However, the permission for organising counter protest/agitation programmes against Mahesh's statements were not permitted by police in any part of the state.

On July 9, Kathi Mahesh, also a filmmaker, who was booked by police for allegedly making statements "disrespecting" Hindu deities, was externed from Hyderabad city for six months.