Lingayat vs Veerashaiva: Karnataka Cabinet begins deliberation

Amidst reports of differences between Ministers belonging to both Veerashaiva and Lingayat faiths, the Karnataka Cabinet's deliberations on separate religion status for 'Lingayat' community has begun on on Monday. The discussions in the last meeting on March 8 remained inconclusive.

Irrigation Minister MB Patil, a pro-Lingayat faction leader, told reporters that the issue will be resolved amicably. On the other hand, Veerashaiva seer, Rambhpuri Guruji, cautioned the Congress government against recommending separate religion for Lingayats. He warned that Congress will have to face the music if the Cabinet recommends for separate religion status for Lingayats. The seer alleged that the report submitted by Justice Nagmohan Das committee, recommending separate religion for Lingayats, is biased in nature. According to reports, the panel led by retired judge of High Court of Karnataka Justice Nagamohan Das had initially said it requires six months to submit the report, it, surprisingly, handed over the report in a month's time.

Lingayat leader Mate Mahadevi had expressed confidence that CM Siddaramaiah would meet their demand and recommend to the Centre grant of separate religious status and minority status to their community. A delegation of Lingayat seers had met CM Siddaramaiah at his residence on Sunday to submit their demand. The demand for a separate religion tag to Veerashaiva/ Lingayat faiths has surfaced from the numerically strong and politically-influential community. While one section led by Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has demanded separate religion status, asserting that Veerashaiva and Lingayats are the same, the other wants it only for Lingayats as it believes that Veerashaivas are one among the seven sects of Shaivas, which is part of Hinduism.