Before the emergence of Basavanna, Lingayats were Dalits, said Murugha Mutt seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharana.
Speaking at an event to mark Hadapada Appanna Jayanti here on Friday, the seer said, “Lingayats like Hadapigas and Madigas were among the depressed classes. It was Basavanna who gave socio-cultural identity to Lingayats. The 12th-century reformer infused a sense of self-respect and pride in Lingayats.”
“The 12th century saw polarisation of castes. The 21st century is witnessing religious polarisation. These days, most of the castes have their own seers. In order to eradicate untouchability and usher in an egalitarian society,
Murugha Mutt has started the religious polarisation,” the seer said.
Basavanna had appointed Appanna, who belonged to the marginalised community, as his secretary. The democratic ideals preached and practised by Basavanna is not seen these days, he lamented.