Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Mathe Gangadevi of the Mahasabha said that the Centre would begin the census exercise beginning from Feb 12 this year. One among the key features of this census was to assess the population based on religion. Hence, all Lingayats should fill the col. No 7, the religion status of the census form with Lingayat instead of Hindu Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat, she said.
According to her, the previous census enumerates the population of Lingayats as mere 33 lakh when there were 3.5 crore Lingayats in the state and neighbouring states. The inclusion of Veerashaiva Lingayat and Hindu Lingayat do not help the Lingayat get a unique identity. A previous court judgements have ruled out Veerashaiva Lingayat and Hindu Lingayat as a religion.
However, the Lingayat Dharma Mahasabha had been working relentlessly to achieve the goal. “Lingayats must be identified as a religion alike the Jainism and Buddhism. The representatives of the Mahasabha recently met the President of India Prathibha Devi Singh Patil and apprised her about the eligibility of the Lingayat for a religion status. The Lingayat fulfills the 17 criteria’s that are required for the religion status. The President has assured full cooperation based on the statistics made available through the 2011 census,” Mathe Gangadevi disclosed.
She said the Lingayat religion was built on Basavanna’s principles and is rid of the vedic books and rituals. The Lingayats would not follow any vedic rituals and embrace people of all caste, community who want to accept Lingayat religion,” Mathe Gangadevi stated and urged all Veerashaiva Mahasabhas and the Lingayat forums to support for the cause.
Srikanta Murthy, Leelavathi Nadagowda, Gangadharaswamy, M Rajashekar of Mahasabha were present.