Hubballi/Bengaluru: On a day when the Lingayats held a massive rally in Hubballi and reiterated their demand for a separate religion tag, Mr Siddaramaiah continued his balancing act on the sensitive issue, saying he was ready to “discharge his duty” as CM if all belonging to the Lingayat community unitedly seek his support for religion tag.
Meanwhile, the Lingayats announced that their meeting with Veerashaivas on Wednesday to sort out differences on the issue, will be final.
At Chitradurga, Mr Siddaramaiah said, “I’ve received a letter from Mate Mahadevi seeking religion status for Lingayats. I don’t have an opinion on this, I’ll just discharge my duties as per the community's wish.”
Lingayats to decide after October 4 meet
Lingayat leaders have resolved to go their own way if leaders of Veerashaiva Mahasabha fail to mend their ways at a meeting to be held with them on October 4 in connection with the demand for religion status for the community.
A meeting of Lingayats, in which thousands took part on Sunday, also resolved that the discussion being held with Veerashaiva leaders on Wednesday to find a solution, would be final. They claimed that more than five lakh people will be mobilized for the next Lingayat rally to be held next month in Hubballi.
Lambasting Veerashaiva Mahasabha leaders for not adhering to the conditions set at the meeting last month in Bengaluru, where it was resolved to constitute a committee of experts to prove that Lingayats have no connection with Veerashaivas, JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti said the community will approach the Supreme Court if anyone tries to thwart their effort to get religion tag. Stating that the Veerashaiva Mahasabha should join hands with them to exert pressure on the government for the minority tag, he said some leaders are leveling false charges of dividing the community fearing that their political future will be jeopardized.
Horatti also said religion status would not be granted if the name Shaiva is included. Admitting that he has been receiving threatening calls to remain silent on the religion status issue, minister Vinay Kulkarni said he will not relent until the demand is fulfilled.
