Bengaluru: While Ministers M B Patil and Vinay Kulkarni take pride in backing the Lingayat movement for a separate religious tag, pro-Veerashaiva seers on Monday advised politicians to stop interfering in religious matters.
“The starting of any new religion is the job of pontiffs and not of four or five persons. Let these elected representatives do their assigned jobs and not poke their nose in religious matters. Their interference only shows they have a political agenda and people should not support them,” the seers said.
In a statement issued here, the pontiffs, Veerasomeshwara Shivacharya Bhagavadpadaru of Rambhapuri Mutt of Balehonnur, Sangana Swamiji of Sri Madhveerashavia Shivayogi Samasthe and Annadaneshwara Swamy of Mundargi Mutt, said that a committee would be constituted soon to sort out the issue and a mammoth convention held in Gadag on December 24 in support of their demands.
Also objecting to Jayamrithunjaya Swami of Koodalasangama for his comments against Veerashaivas at a rally in Hubballi on Sunday, the pontiffs said they were illogical and an insult to his saffron robes.
“Like the Constitution of this country, Veerashaivism too has a religious constitution. Without understanding this, his statement that those who are born to one father are Lingayats and those born to five fathers are Veerashaivas clearly indicates his own culture,” they said. Arguing that 12th century reformer, Basavanna had never claimed to be a founder of any religion, the seers said he was seen as a 'Vishwamanava.'
Claiming that the “ truth” would be revealed at the Gadag rally, they said more such rallies would be organised in all district headquarters to create awareness on the issue among Veerashiva Lingayats across the state.
