Karnataka: Lingayat seer's remark sparks another row

Hubballi: Swami Jaya Mrithyunjaya of Koodalasangam Panchamasali Peetha has landed in a fresh controversy with an audio recording of his alleged derogratory remarks against the Veerashaivas, reportedly made during a telephonic conversation, going viral.

The seer is allegedly heard saying in the audio clip that Jangamas (Veerashaivas) are only two per cent of the population and will perish  if the majority Panchamasalis (a Lingayat sub-caste) urinate. But coming out strongly in his own defence, the swamiji claimed the audio clip was fabricated and part of  a conspiracy to tarnish his image as he was in the forefront of the movement for an independent religious status for Lingayats.

Warning that he would file a complaint against those  trying to derail the movement , he said, “The audio tape is two years old and fake. I have already resolved the confusion in a discussion with leaders of the community. Now some Veerashaiva leaders have deliberately raked up the issue after my first statement at the Hubballi rally, which was  misinterpreted. I will reveal the names of those who have conspired against me at the Lingayat rally in Vijayapur on December 10. I cannot tolerate more mental trauma from them.” The seer claimed  he had received threat calls just like other Lingayat leaders, Basavaraj Horatti and Minister Vinay Kulkarni.  But far from pacified,  the  Veerashaivas came out on to the streets in North Karnataka, demanding that he step down as head of the Panchamasali Peetha. The Veerashaivas are also holding meetings to chalk out a strategy against the Lingayat rallies for religion tag. Dr Veera Someshwar Shivacharya of Balehonnur Rambhapur Peetha, meanwhile asserted once again that both Veerashaivas and Lingayats belonged to the same community.