Pejavara Swami should not interfere in Lingayat debate says Congress

Pejavara mutt seer Vishveshateertha Swami had issued a statement that Lingayat should be apart of Hindu religion and not opt out as a separate religion. Responding to this several Congress leaders have said Pejavara Swam should not get involved in Lingayat debate and he should keep silent, reported Kannada Prabha.

Ministers M B Patil and Vinay Kulkarni said Pejavara Swamy should not interfere, let Lingayat mutt seers decide on it. Talking to newspersons Minister M B Patil said there is a huge difference between the Hindu Lingayat rituals propagated by Basava and the Hinduism propagated by Pejavara Swami.  Hence Pejavara Swamy should not interfere.

Veerashaiva Mahasabha has already appealed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for separate religion status. CM has already agreed to recommend to Centre. M B Patil said he would also be a member of the delegation and he totally supports declaring separate status.

Speaking to newspersons at Dharwad Minister Vinay Kulakarni said Pejavara Swami was unnecessarily interfering in the Lingayata issue. He said the agitation is for religion and not for political reasons. He challenged if B S Yeddyurappa can exhibit Basavanna’s photo in BJP office.  He said Congress has shown its pride in Basavanna by exhibiting Basavanna’s photo at all government offices.  B S Yeddyurappa is a pucca RSS and is not a Lingayat. He gets Lingayata votes but sucks their blood.  Even to demand separate religion status for Lingayat he waits for RSS approval, he criticised, reported Kannada Prabha.

KPCC executive president S R Patil speaking to media persons at Raichur said, Lingayat has all criteria to be an independent religion. Congress is making efforts to breakdown the walls constructed between different religions and castes, he said.

• Pejavara Swamy should not interfere Lingayata
• Difference between Pejavara Hinduism and Basavanna