Muthalik criticised for allegations against Church in Nithyananda scandal

Sri Ram Sene's allegation that Church was behind the exposal of a Hindu godman's sex scandal was strongly rejected by the Catholic Church in Karnataka.

Supporting Swami Nithyananda who was released on bail last week, Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik said Christian missioners had conspired to malign the Swami's name and that he had no connection to the scandal.

"It is false and malicious propaganda," responded Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore.

He termed the allegations as provocative and derogatory against the Christian community.

He said the allegations are "aimed at creating discord, communal disharmony and disunity in society and to malign the community," according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Swami Nithyananda was last week released on bail after over 50 days of police and judicial custody. Nithyananda is accused of sexually assaulting a Tamil film actor from Chennai.

After the controversial godman returned to his ashram in Bidadi, Muthalik is said to have visited him and made the allegations against Christian missioners.

"Missionaries have long been trying to sully Hindu temples and seer. Sri Rama Sene condemns such lobbies and will continue to fight for the survival and growth of Hindutva," he was quoted saying.

Muthalik has been the past as well criticised for making derogatory remarks against Church and Christian missioners.