Hubballi: The confrontation between Lingayats and Veerashaivas is set to intensify ahead of the Assembly elections with water resources minister M.B. Patil claiming that the state government will recommend to the Centre on March 14 Independent religion status for Lingayats.
Such a move may force Veerashaiva seers to go on the warpath with the Congress government led by CM Siddaramaiah as they have termed the constitution of the seven-member expert panel on this issue unconstitutional. They are also gearing up for a legal battle once the recommendation is sent to the Centre seeking minority tag.
The issue of independent religion tag for the Lingayat community was postponed due to differences of opinion among several ministers when it came up for discussion in the state Cabinet two days ago. Meanwhile, law and parliamentary affairs minister T.B. Jayachandra has claimed while speaking to mediapersons in the city that the government will take a final decision on March 14 on the issue.
Clarifying that Lingayats will get ‘sweet’ news on Wednesday, Mr M.B. Patil said that he will also consult all seers including heads of Pancha Peethas to take them into confidence. “I am not against anyone, there is no rift between Veerashaivas and Lingayats. I have a lot of respect for Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha president Shamanur Shivashankarappa. His son S.S. Mallikarjun and minister Eshwar Khande are like my brothers. I will consult all of them once the recommendation is sent to the Centre for independent religion tag on March 14 after the Cabinet meeting”, said Mr Patil in Vijayapura on Sunday.
