It's wait and watch stance on 'minority' tag in Mysuru region

There is not much talk about the 'religious minority' status to the Lingayat community accorded by the state government in the region.

Except for a few celebrations here and there, largely, the people belonging to the community feel that it does not affect them much. There have been no protests at all, unlike in North Karnataka districts.

"The actual recognition is a long way to go. Now the state government has sent its proposal to the Centre. As the elections to the Assembly are likely to be declared soon, the Centre might not act on it now. The state government has played it safe. It has included both Veerashaivas and Lingayats under the new 'minority' tag with a rider that the Veerashaivas should accept the principles of Basavanna," said S B Manjunath, a resident of Agrahara in the city.

He said, "Let us see when the Centre declares the 'minority' tag. Even if the Centre approves the state's proposal, if somebody questions it before a court, it will take many more years. It is not so easy in a nation like India to see something become a reality in one's lifetime. Delay is the key to kill something from the memory of the people. We can see how the people are protesting for Mahadayi River water for the past three years".

As per the decision of the state government, let us assume that we get a 'minority' tag. However, we will continue under the Category 3B for reservation, because the benefits for Muslims cannot be disturbed. There will be no change in the benefits that we can claim. Only moneyed religious institutions and individuals will benefit as the educational institutions will get the minority institution tag. Besides getting additional benefits like lands and funds, the institutions will not be bound by the rules and norms of the government. Mainly, such institutions will be out of the ambit of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. To benefit from the new status, all of us should start one or the other educational institution. But, where to get the students, that too 50% of them from our own community?" quips V Anand.

"Religion and caste are dynamic. Most of the practices that were not there when a religion was founded become part of it over the years. Irrigation Minister M B Patil claims to belong to a minority religion, which is different from the Hindu culture. However, it has to be remembered that he and his wife offered special puja at the birth place of River Krishna last year to seeking rains. Are not such pujas part of the Hindu culture? asked Shadakshari, a junior pontiff of a small mutt on the outskirts of the city.

"Even in Hindu culture, there were no pujas and rituals, centuries ago. They have been included by some creative people over the centuries. More creative people have improvised them over the decades. People have invented more and more gods to suit their convenience over the centuries. There was no heaven or hell in the earlier version of the religion - whatever name one wants to give it like Vedic dharma, Manu dharma, Sanathana dharma or Hindu dharma. There was only Moksha, oneness with nature. The concept of Swarga and Naraka was included in the later stages to make them attractive like the newer religions," he said.