Lingayats hold huge rally in Kalaburagi for separate religion

Kalaburagi, Sept 25: A massive rally was taken out in Kalaburagi on Sunday, seeking a separate religion status for Lingayat.

Hundreds of Lingayats from the Hyderabad-Karnatata districts of Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Bidar, and the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Telangana, prominent political leaders from the region and seers took part in the rally at the N V Grounds.

Addressing the gathering, Water Resources minister M B Patil, who is spearheading the movement for a separate Lingayat religion, said, “If Veerashaivas ask for a separate religion, then it is not a problem. However, they are demanding Veerashaiva-Lingayat as separate religion. As long as the word ‘Shaiva’ is there, we will not get a separate religion status as Shaiva is part of the Hindu religion.”

He said that the movement didn’t intend to disrespect Hinduism or Hindus.

Medical Education Minister Dr Sharanprakash Patil said, “If Lingayat becomes a separate religion, then Vachanas will become our holy book.”

Mines and Geology Minister Vinay Kulkarni said, “If we don’t get what want we want, then there will be a new revolution in the 21st century.”

The meeting passed a resolution seeking arrest of the killers of scholar M M Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh.

High Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy, MLC Basavaraj Horatti, seers Sharanabasappa Appa, Peethadhipathi of Sharana Basaveshwara Samsthana, Srishail Sarangadhar Mutt pontiff Sarangadhar Swami and actor Chethan were present.

Mathe won’t publish book

The controversial book ‘Basava Vachana Deepthi’ by Mathe Mahadevi will not be published.

The announcement was made by Mathe Mahadevi herself during the rally.

“We will not publish the book henceforth,” she added.

The book was published in 1996 and was banned by the state government in 1998.

Mathe Mahadevi made the announcement after Minister M B Patil requested her to honour the Supreme Court order, which recently upheld the ban.