Seer calls for unity among Lingayats

Suttur mutt seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami, on Sunday, called for unity of the Lingayat community to ensure the ideology of Veerashaiva dharma — social equality — is retained.

Speaking after launching ‘International Lingayat Youth Forum’ in Bangalore on Sunday, the seer said the emergence of various sects in the community had led to the sidelining of the basic ideology of the Veerashaiva dharma. He hoped that the newly launched youth forum would endeavour towards bringing unity in the community. Water Resources Minister M B Patil said all Lingayats should work unitedly for the betterment of the community.

Former minister and JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti rued that seers instead of guiding the community members were interfering in politics.