HUBBALLI: The controversy over separate religious status for Lingayats could well take a violent turn with several seers threatening violent protests against attempts to divide the community through such measures.
Prominent among these anti-religion seers, Sri Virasomeshwara Shivacharya Swamiji, head of Rambhapur Peetha situated at Balehonnur in Chikkamagalur district, has crossed swords with the first woman seer Mathe Mahadevi for demanding a separate religion status for Lingayats.
On Tuesday, his supporters from several districts in north Karnataka protested here against those trying to break the unity in the guise of according status of religion. Their protest came close on the heels of contradictory statements by water resource minister M.B. Patil and Congress leader and Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha president Shamanur Shivashankarappa. They also raised slogans against woman seer Mathe Mahadevi for insulting Rambhapuri pontiff after he made controversial remarks against her.
Mathe Mahadevi
Seventy-two year old Mathe Mahadevi, a post graduate, first woman seer of Lingayat community in south India, reveres 12th century woman poet Akka Mahadevi, started Sharana Mela, a religious congregation of followers of social reformer Basaveshwara and Lingayatism, and established Basava Dharma Peetha at Kudala Sangam. Wants a separate religion for Lingayats minus the Veerashaivas.
Rambhapuri seer
Sri Virasomeshwara Shivacharya Swamiji heads Rambhapur Peetha, at Balehonnur of Chikkamagalur district. It is one among five Pancha Mahapeethas of Veerashaivism. His move to observe 'Adda Pallakki' Utsav, where he's carried in a palanquin by devotees on their shoulders, evoked sharp criticism from Mathe Mahadevi who contended that it was violation of human rights.
