Hubballi: Terming Veerashaivas and Lingayats as one and the same, a Veerashaiva rally in Gadag has resolved to urge the state government to dissolve the seven-member panel formed to look into the issue of granting minority status.
Charging that that the move is a political conspiracy ahead of Assembly elections, the pontiffs claimed that these members lacked knowledge about the principles of the Veerashaiva faith. The convention also resolved to exert pressure on the government to provide 15 per cent reservation by including the community under ‘2A’ category.
The seers of Pancha Peethas warned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that the movement would be intensified if he tried to divide the community for political gain by bowing to the pressure from some pseudo-religious heads. The seers also extended their support to judicial experts who are fighting a legal battle against ministers for trying to divide the community by working outside the constitutional framework.
The rally backed the stand adopted by Shivakumar Swamiji of Tumakuru Siddaganga Mutt that both Veerashaivas and Lingayats are the same. Shrishaila seer Dr Channasiddarama Panditaradya Swamiji contended that the British Gazetteer cannot be proved as a document of substance for minority status as claimed by Lingayat leaders. He also said that the decision on separate religion tag should be taken only after studying ancient literature as the evidence provided by Lingayat leaders are related to only the 18th and 19th century.
Dr Chandrashekar Shivacharya Swamiji of Kashi Peetha argued that attempts to divide Veerashaiva-Lingayats started with the formation of the Havanur Commission and the creation of 99 sub-castes within the community based on their occupation when Devaraj Urs was Chief Minister. Now, the Siddaramaiah government is trying to divide it again to gain political mileage, he added.
Lamenting the decline in political morality, Rambhapuri seer Dr Veerasomeshwara Shivacharya Swamiji said that this has cast a black shadow over religion. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should take the Veerashaiva Mahasabha into confidence by dissolving the seven-member panel. He should also study historical facts before sending any recommendation for independent religion status. Otherwise, Veerashaiva leaders will teach him a befitting lesson”, the Rambhapuri seer said.
Akhil Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha president and Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa was conspicuous by his absence though he sent a letter of support to the convention.
