Religion tag: Lingayats plan 3 meets to pressure Centre
First mega convention to be held at Latur in Maharashtra on Sunday.
Bengaluru: Three mega conventions-one in Maharashtra and two in Karnataka are on the anvil as part of a strategy to mount pressure on both the Union and state governments for approval of a separate religion status for Lingayats, according to Jayamruthyunjaya Swamy of Koodalasangama Math.
He told the media here that while the first convention would be held in Latur on Sunday, where about four lakh Lingayats would participate, subsequent rallies would be held in Kalaburagi, Vijayapura and Bengaluru in December. These conventions would help instill confidence among Lingayats rather than turnout as a show of strength. It has become necessary to fight for the cause of people of people of the entire community. The demand for separate religion tag was made over a 100 years ago, the time was appropriate to pressurize the government in this regard. “There is no political agenda involved in holding these conventions,” he added.
The seer said the demand for a separate religion status was first aired by Basavanna in the 12th century. Rumours, however, are being spread that pontiffs of the Pancha Peeta are supporting Veerashaivas. On the other hand, the senior seer of Siddaganga Math has suggested that everyone should be taken into confidence. Besides, Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamy of Suttur Math has offered to resolve all controversies and fight united in the larger interest of people of the community.
The seer also pointed out that former bureaucrat, S M Jamdar, convener of Lingayat Pratyeka Dharma Horata Samithi, said discussions are on since a month over the row over about separate religion status. The organization was ready for discussion on this issued as long as it would not be held on the basis of puranas but nearer to reality. Unfortunately, Vachana Sahitya had been neglected during the last century, and all knew who were the cause for such negligence. Mr Jamdar has extended an invitation to pontiffs of Pancha Peetha to participate in a debate on their opposition to the demand for separate religion tag for Lingayats, the seer added.