“Water Resource Minister M B Patil’s statement of seeking extension of support for the struggle to get separate religion status to Lingayatism or quit the mutts, is not expected from a responsible leader”, said Shrishail Peetha Jagadguru Channasiddaram Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swamiji.
Speaking to press persons in Raichur on Tuesday, the seer who had come to Raichur to attend a religious programme, said that the matter of getting separate religion status to Lingayatism will be decided by the devotees and the people and not M B Patil.
“Looking at the keenness being shown by the minister in the issue and people being forced to decide before the elections, on can clearly conclude that the entire episode is politically-motivated”.
The seer said, “There is no strength in the separate Lingayat religion debate. More than 40 Sharanas have mentioned about Veerashaivas in over 200 Vachanas. Only eight Sharanas have used the term Lingayat in 13 Vachanas. No Vachana of Basavanna has the term Lingayat. The term Lingayat is a derivative of Veerashaiva.”
The seer said that it was decided not to give any strong statement before the decision is taken by a co-ordination committee. But statements are being given publicly in meetings and conventions. So, the formation of the co-ordination committee is itself doubtful.
Rachotiveera Shivacharya of Somwarpeth Mutt, Panchakshari Shivacharya of Niilogal Bruhan mutt, Veerabhadra Shivacharya of Bicchali were present.
Published 03 October 2017, 17:47 IST