Bengaluru: Two weeks after the Assembly poll results, the Lingayat religion issue is back at centrestage with Global Lingayat Mahasabha President Mr S.M. Jamdar accusing Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and BJP National President Mr Amit Shah of portraying the movement as anti-Hindu. He also made it clear that the agitation for separate religious status for Lingayats would be intensified.
Speaking to reporters after the district office bearer's meeting here on Sunday, Mr Jamdar said that the activities of the Mahasabha had slowed down due to the elections and would be intensified now. Asserting that the movement was non-political, he said Mr Modi and Mr Shah had repeatedly dubbed it an attempt to divide Hindu religion. The movement has never harmed Hindu religion and by portraying it in this manner, Mr Shah and Mr Modi were trying to divide people. The people of the state have already given a fitting reply to them in the polls, he said.
Asserting that Lingayat religion was never part of Hindu religion, Mr Jamdar said the 'Pancha Peetas' were not coming out with their opinion on this issue. The state government has already submitted its proposal on religion status to the Centre and the ball is now in the Centre's court, Mr Jamdar added.
