Tense moments witnessed during Lingayat body meet

The inaugural function of the 'Lingayata Samskruthika Samithi' at Nataraja Sabha Bhavana of the Hosamutt, in the city, on Monday, witnessed some tense moments as a section of the people circulated copies of reproduction of an advertisement published in a local newspaper.

The circulation of the advertisement 'Lingayata Lanchanada Adiyalli Pratheyka Dharmakkagi Naveke Horata Maaduthiddeve' (Why are fighting for separate religion under Lingayat banner) and the presence of former minister and JD(S) MLC Basavaraja Horatti, also an advocate for minority religion status, angered a section of the audience. They demanded that Horatti should not speak about separate religion status for Veerashaiva-Lingayats. They urged the organisers that only the Vachanas should be discussed during the programme.

Seer Chidananda Swami was manhandled by a few when he tried to pacify the agitators. The programme organisers pacified them. By then, police personnel had arrived and the situation eased.

After the inauguration, Horatti invited the people to express their opinion on the issue. T S Lokesh, president of the Federation of Basava Balagas of the district, said, the issue of separate religion should not be raised in the programme. Puttanna, an activist, said, he has a doubt that Horatti would try to convince the audience in favour of a separate religion.

Horatti said, "I do not gain anything by getting separate religion status. A section of youths of the community had suggested that problems would be solved, if the Lingayat community gets religious minority status as the youth are subject to injustice in several fileds. So, I am fighting for the cause. If somebody else get recognition for 'Veerashaiva Lingayat' as a minority religion, I would welcome it. If people find that our fight is genuine, they will support us," he said.