Bengaluru: State cabinet likely to decide on Lingayat religion on Mar 14


Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 14: At the state cabinet meeting scheduled to be held here on Wednesday March 14, the issue of granting status of separate religion to Lingayat will be discussed again. In the light of raging controversy about the subject that has wedged a divide between Veerashaiva and Lingayat communities, the decision of the state cabinet assumes importance. This decision also has the potential of casting an influence on the election result.

Ministers are split on the issue of recognizing Lingayat as separate religion. While ministers, M B Patil and Vinay Kulkarni, are actively backing creation of Lingayat religion, two other ministers, Ishwar Khandre and S S Mallikarjun, are opposed to it. These ministers had poured out their differences during the discussions held on the subject by the cabinet meeting in the past. Because of these differences, the question of taking a clear stand by the government had remained elusive.


Chief minister arriving for a cabinet meeting - File photo

Ishwar and Mallikarjun had vehemently argued in favour of including Veerashaivas along with the Lingayat when recommending for separate religion. Patil and Kulkarni had said that if these two are merged, central government is likely to shoot down this recommendation. They had said that Veerashaivas follow traditions handed down by the ancient religion whereas Lingayat is a splinter group that separated itself from the Sanathan Dharma and won a separate identity for itself. Therefore, these two cannot be treated as one, these ministers had opined.

Some other ministers had said that creation of another minority religion might affect prospects of other minorities like Muslims, Jains and Sikhs who are being provided certain facilities, as Lingayat, if treated as a separate religion, too will claim a share in the benefits as a religious minority.

The chief minister reportedly discussed this issue individually with dissenting ministers in later days. Therefore there is a possibility of the cabinet clearing the way for recommending for the creation of Lingayat religion to the centre.

In an appeal, former MP, Vijay Sankeshwar, has said that Veerashaiva and Lingayat are one and the same and urged the people not to yield to efforts being made by the chief minister to split them with the support of some greedy heads of Maths and selfish Lingayat leaders. Addressing a press conference at Hubballi on Tuesday March 13, Sankeshwar said he does not subscribe to the recommendations made by Justice Nagamohandas committee.

A meeting of Swamijis held at Shivayogi Mandir at Badami on Tuesday has decided to fight against Congress if the cabinet adopts the report of the committee over creation of separate Lingayat religion. Kashi Jagadguru Dr Chandrashekhar Shivacharya, speaking to media persons after the meeting, said that if the government accepts the above report and fails to include Veerashaiva along with Lingayat in recommending separate religion, the Swamijis will undertake united efforts to bring in political change in the state. He said that a few ministers with support from an official have been trying to break the society. Terming this as a conspiracy connected with election, he said that hundreds of Swamijis have opposed this move. He however clarified that no agitation will be launched against the government if it decides against making any recommendation on creation of separate religion.

  

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Comment on this article

  • JK, southkanara

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    These ministers and Govt. desperately trying to break the lingayath and Shaivas from main stream of Hindu society. Then they start giving reservation - sunna and mannu for one of them.. these stupids fail in every constructive work of our state and now trying to make vote thru this. Is this Govt has any right to break the existing Religion based on worshiping and offerings...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • vikki, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    Brake and rule khangress culture

    DisAgree [6] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shammi, Karnataka

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    This is a conspiracy thrown over congress to defame,some few percentage people who have their vested interest in their mitts,temples are using congress political power.Our leaders rather getting emotional and involving it , should direct them to Modi government .Because BJP is pro hindu group ,congress is not for only hindus.Its for all. They should stop appeasing majority.Get back to SECULARISM.

    SECULARISM WAS DHARMA AND KARMA OF INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS SINCE GANDHIJI.Stick to it.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh, Dubai

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    if they shown same interest on save Yettinahole netravati killing project it would be a great contribution to our future generation. one side niddana saying i am socialist dont mix religious with politics another side from his beginig he started divide and rule on the basis of religious and cast. those who faith in Basavanna they will follow only one Dharma called "Kayakave Kailasa."

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af,,, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    What state Govt has to do here ,Govt can only recomand to center ,first there is no unity among Swamijis itself,more than 70% Lingayat community wanted to have separate dharma status, other 30% fighting by the help of bjp leaders,

    DisAgree [6] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Bengaluru/Katapadi

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    Lingayat religion may be given minority status if promised

    DisAgree [4] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • PEDDA GUNDA, MANGALURU

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    This is the irony of Indian Politics everything mixing with religion and the results are BIG ZERO. Only they can get votes by fooling the illiterates

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • kp, udupi

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    this govt is dividing on the basis of religions,cast on fake sikularism just for vote . nothing else

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, kudla

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    Lingayat must get MINORITY STATUS as promised by siddu govt...
    Tulu speaking Hindu community too get minority status

    DisAgree [4] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ivar, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    'Divide and rule' policy of British is well adopted by Congress!

    DisAgree [12] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • RICHARD, mlore

    Wed, Mar 14 2018

    It will hot badly CONGRESS iN NEXT ELECTION

    DisAgree [7] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Bengaluru: State cabinet likely to decide on Lingayat religion on Mar 14



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