Lingayat Mahasabha warns of agitation if Centre rejects state's decision

The Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha, on Saturday, said that Veerashaivas and Lingayats are two different entities and that it would launch an intensified agitation if the Centre fails to give its nod for the state Cabinet's decision to accord minority status to Lingayats.

This comes a day after Akila Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha passed a nine-point resolution to keep the Veerashaiva-Lingayat flock together and renew its demand for separate religion tag for the same,

In a press meet held here on Saturday, Lingayat Mahasabha General Secretary S M Jamdar said, "There is no link between the Lingayats and the Veerashaiva. We (Lingayats) are a different religion. We will launch a severe protest if the Union government fails to accord a religious minority status to Lingayats."

To a query, the retired IAS officer said, " We are opposed to Panchacharyas. Who are they? They should clarify whether they are Veerashaivas or Lingayats or Dalits.   However, we welcome those who believe in Basava Tatva into Lingayat fold."

The Lingayats who are holding offices in Veerashaiva Mahasabha should quit their posts, he said.

Followers of the Lingayat religion preach and practice non-violence. They are a notch better than the Jains when it comes to practising non-violence, he said to a query.

Jamdar replied to the queries raised by Veerashaiva Mahasabha during its meeting on Friday.