Not Lingayats: Jamdar to Veerashaivas
Leaders of Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha, who have been in the forefront of an agitation for such a special status.
BENGALURU: A day after the powerful All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha released a six-point resolution against the state government's recommendation for an independent religious status for Lingayats, the Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha (JLM) locked horns through a point-by-point rebuttal that Veerashaivas were never part of the Lingayat religion propagated by 12th century saint and social reformer, Basaveshwara.
Leaders of Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha, who have been in the forefront of an agitation for such a special status, on Saturday asked leaders who are true to the preachings of Basaveshwara, to disown the Mahasabha and its six-point resolution.
General secretary and retired bureaucrat S M Jamdar told the media: ''The Mahasabha is a body which represents Veerashaivas who are different even in their tradition and culture. Consequent on the six point resolution, which is against Lingayats, we call upon all leaders who associate themselves as true Lingayats and followers of Basavanna to disown the Mahasabha, and join the community or withdraw the resolution which was passed on March 23."