Separate religion tag for Lingayats: M B Patil visits Siddaganga seers for guidance on next steps

Siddalinga Swami, the junior seer of the Siddaganga mutt, welcomed the state government's decision to accord a separate religion tag to Lingayats and its recommendation to the centre to ratify the same.    

Water Resource Minister M B Patil who visited the mutt on Wednesday, told reporters that he was there to ask for the guidance of the two seers on the next steps to be taken.

He sought the blessings of the senior seer Dr Shivakumara Swamiji and the junior seer and spent about 20 minutes in discussion with them. The government would act upon the directions of the seers the minister added.      

Amit Shah's remarks

Reacting to BJP National President Amit Shah's statements on the separate religion status issue, Patil said that Shah was wrong to say the state government was trying to divide society.  

"He (Shah) belongs to the Jain community and had fought for a separate religion tag for Jainism, as a result of which the community enjoys such status today. He did not object then but has objections to Lingayats getting separate status. How can there be a different justice for Jains and for Lingayats? " Patil asked.    

Cauvery Nirvahana Mandali

To a question on the setting up a Cauvery Nirvahana Mandali, Patil said that neighbouring Tamil Nadu government had requested the establishment of a board (Mandali), but the Supreme Court had quashed the proposal and asked the state governments to set up a 'redressal forum' instead.