Hyderabad, July 12: Sri Peetham pontiff Swami Paripoornananda of Kakinada, who allegedly made provocative statements has been externed from Hyderabad for six months.

The move comes just a few days after film critic Kathi Mahesh was externed from the city for reportedly making derogatory comments against Hindu Gods on a news channel.

The police said that the pontiff was externed from Hyderabad under the Telangana Prevention of Anti-Social and Hazardous Activities Act.

The pontiff on Monday had been placed under house arrest. He was scheduled to lead a Yatra from July 9 onwards by chanting Shri Rama in protest against the comments made by Mahesh.

The police had asked the pontiff to leave Hyderabad on his own, but he refused to do so. The police then took him into custody and later escorted him out of the city.