Shun your differences, Khandre tells Lingayat separatists

Minister for Municipal Administration Eshwar Khandre  on Friday  reiterated that both Veerashiva and Lingayat faiths are one and the same and expressed hope that leaders on both sides will soon shun their differences.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Khandre maintained that 'Veerashaiva' and 'Lingayat' are not different. "The words Lingayat and Veerashaiva are synonymous. While the word Veerashaiva is used in literature, Lingayat is used in common parlance," he said, adding that the demand for an independent religious status for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat still stands.

Khandre has been caught in a row with Water Resources Minister M B Patil over the Veerashaiva-Lingayat religion issue.

Stressing upon the fact that Lingayats were different to Veerashaivas, Patil has been championing the cause for a separate religious status for the Lingayat community.