Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna has appealed to Pancha Peetha heads to take initiative in eliminating the differences between the sects in Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. The Guru and Virakta Parampara of Veerashaiva Lingayat religion, which have a historical background, should come together, he observed.
He was speaking at the second day of Veerashaiva Peethacharya, Shivacharya summit, organised by the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Shivacharya Samsthana at the Abhinava Renuka Mandir here on Tuesday.
He said, if the state government had not made any mistake in the social, educational and economic survey, the Pancha Peetha heads would not have come together. There are more than 2,500 Veerashaiva Lingayat mutts in the state, and these should be united," Somanna said.
Minister Somanna also claimed that there are more than two crore Veerashaiva Lingayats in the state. Besides, there is poverty in the community and they need to be brought above the poverty line. The disadvantages caused by sub-sects must be corrected. If the differences between the sub-sects are not eliminated, there will be a great hardship in the coming days," he expressed concern.
He further stated that along with the census, the caste census will soon begin. Veerashaiva Lingayat should be identified by a single name. "Let us convey the demand of the community to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I will donate 6 months’ of my salary for the statue of Renukacharya that is planned to be built at the Rambhapuri Peetha,’ he offered.
Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil said that "The contribution of the religious mutts to the progress of Karnataka is immense. Innumerable Mutts in the country have provided education along with spirituality." He further said that the Veerashaiva Lingayat religion is not limited to one community. The entire society believes in Veerashaiva because of its principles and beliefs. The introduction of such a religion should be taught to the younger generation, he added.
MLAs C C Patil, B P Harish, MLC K S Naveen, former Union Minister G M Siddeshwar, Congress leader Ayanur Manjunath, former MLAs Mahima Patel, H S Shivashankar and H S Shivayogiswamy were present.