Two more rallies demanding independent religion tag for Lingayat

Two more rallies planned at Kalburgi and Chitradurga   JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda refused to be drawn into the Lingayat controversy Minister Dr Sharana Prakash Patil said the controversy regarding Lingayat and Veerashaiva is a closed chapter now

Unperturbed by the developments in the Lingayat community, a section of the community has decided to hold rallies in Kalaburagi and Chitradurga demanding independent religion status for Lingayat. 

Speaking at a press meet at Bidar, Dr Basavalingapattadevaru said Bidar is the district where the Lingayat movement started. A rally has already been organised at Lathur in Maharashtra. As the next phase of the agitation, a rally will be organised at Kalaburagi on Sept 24 at NV Grounds. Over 25,000 community members are expected to participate in the rally. This is the fourth rally at Kalburgi. The agitation will not stop till the community gets its demand fulfilled, he said, reports Kannada Prabha.

Meanwhile, at Chitradurga, Dr Shivamurthy Swamy of Murugha Mutt said that a rally will be held as part of the Sharana Samskruthi Utsav on Sept 28 demanding independent religion status to Lingayat. A walk called ‘Souharda Nadige Sharana Samskruthi Edege’ meaning Harmony Walk Towards Sharana Culture is also organised.

At Yadagir, JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda said dragging Siddaganga seer’s name into politics was uncalled for. But he refused to be drawn into the controversy.  He said there are eminent leaders and scholars in the Lingayat community and they will sort out the issue and he would not get involved.

Finally, an expert Committee has been formed to look into and resolve the controversy regarding the differences between the Lingayat and Veerashaiva. Minister Dr Sharana Prakash Patil said there is a clear mandate for the independent religion status for the Lingayat. However, only the nomenclature process needs to be followed.