Jains and Sikhs part of Hindu dharma, claims Pejawar seer

Udupi, Jul 6: Vishwesha Tirtha Swami, the chief pontiff of Pejawar Mutt and veteran Hindutva ideologue has claimed that Jains and Sikhas are also part of Hindu dharma.

Addressing newsmen here yesterday, the seer said: “I personally feel that Sikhs and Jains are also Hindus. It was during the British rule that identities were created for Sikhs and other communities.

“Now, even Jains are attending programmes of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP),” he said.

The seer said he was ready for a debate on the issue of Lingayat being Hindu in a peaceful atmosphere at any place.

He said that such a debate or discussion could be held at the Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha in Bengaluru or any other place by July 28 or in Mysuru after July 28, where he will be undertaking his Chaturmasya Vrata.

The former Revenue Secretary S.M. Jamdar had invited him to debate on the issue after his fifth Paryaya (2016-18). The Sanehalli seer, Home Minister M.B. Patil and others such as Vinay Kulkarni had also given statements on this issue. “All I want is that the debate should be held in a peaceful manner,” he said.

The Pejawar seer said that his recent statement at Harihar that Lingayat was part of Hinduism and that Veerashaivas and Lingayats were one had drawn different reactions.

“Lingayats and Hindus are the same. Those who worship Lord Shiva and do Linga Puja are Hindus as Shiva is a Hindu god. If those worshipping Shiva and Linga are not Hindus, then who are Hindus?” he asked.