Hubballi: Lingayats to lay siege to parliament

Hubballi: Upset over the Union government's move to reject an independent religion status for Lingayats, seers and leaders of the community have decided to lay siege to parliament on Wednesday after the conclusion of its three-day conference at Talkatora  Stadium in New Delhi.

The seers warned they would take the battle to the Supreme Court if the Centre failed to accord minority status to the community and  resolved to intensify their agitation if their demand was not met before the Lok Sabha polls.

As many as 5,000 Lingayats and 50 seers  have converged in New Delhi for the conference. The second day of the meet on Tuesday saw a heated discussion on the reported move of the Centre to reject their demand for independent religious status. Several seers lambasted  the Centre and demanded it consider the report of the H N Nagamohan Das Committee that had recommended a  minority status for Lingayats.

"Having an independent religion status is a matter of pride for Lingayats. The minority tag should be given to the only religion which has taken birth in South India. But the Union government has rejected our demand on unscientific grounds and this has hurt the community," said Jaya Mrithyunjaya Swamiji of Panchamasali Peetha, Kudalasangama,  warning that not only was the community prepared to go to court but also lay siege to parliament.

Urging all Lingayat MPs to resign in protest over the Union government's decision,  the seers demanded that PM Narendra Modi  should make sure the Nagamohan Das Committee report is tabled in the  Lok Sabha for a thorough discussion.