The Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha on Friday formally submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking a separate religion status to Veerashaiva-Lingayats.
This comes more than a week after another group comprising Lingayat leaders and seers petitioned the chief minister to have ‘Lingayats’ declared as a minority religion.
“It is significant to note that the principles of Hindu law, the Hindu Marriage Act, the Hindu Adoption Act and the Hindu Succession Act which have come into force in 1955-56 have already recognised Veerashaiva-Lingayaths as a separate religion (sic),” states the five-page letter signed by veteran Congress leader and Mahasabha president Shamanur Shivashankarappa and Municipal Administration Minister Eshwar B Khandre.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks