Religion status: Lingayat seers up pressure
At city meet, Lingayat heads say it's a question of self-esteem.
Bengaluru: Several Lingayat seers stepped up their demand for either a separate religious tag or a minority status for the community at a meeting held here on Wednesday by the Jana Samanyara Vedike, Karnataka.
Claiming that the controversial demand was being made not to corner benefits but to protect the community's self-esteem, they called for unity among the seers to pursue it and make sure the government gave in.
Shivarudra Swamy of Beli Mutt explained that the Lingayats did not like to be seen as followers of the Hindu religion as they had their own rituals like Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs that were very different. "The fight for a separate religious status for the community has been going on for hundreds of years and everyone must join hands to achieve it at any cost," he stressed.
Siddeshwara Swamy of the Rudrakshi Mutt in Belagavi contended that Veerashaivism was not a part of the Lingayat dharma but a branch of the Vaidika dharma and all its works were in Sanskrit. "Besides, they worship hundreds of Gods and perform homas, which is not allowed in the Lingayat dharma. In fact, all works of Lingayats are in Kannada," he noted.
Actor and social activist, Chethan said when there was a provision in the Constitution for giving a separate religious status to a community that deserved it, the Union government must honour this and meet the Lingayats' demand.
The meeting passed several resolutions, which will be submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Those present at the event included Nijagunananda Swamy of Nishkala Mutt, Jayamruthyunjaya Swamy of Panchamsali Peeta, Mathe Basavanjali of Basavajnana Mandira, Mathe Annapoorna, Basava Mahalinga Swamy of Koratagere Mutt, noted cardiologist, Dr Prabhudeva, and BSP state president, N Mahesh.