Need to pressurise centre for Lingayat religion

Kannada actor Chetan expressed the need for a public movement to pressurise the union government to accord recognition for Lingayat as a separate religion. The state government has made a recommendation to the union government due to the statewide movement was undertaken by the people and similar movement was needed to pressurise the union government.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Chetan said, all the three political parties in the state Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) were not following Basava philosophy. “Myself have been self-inspired by Basava philosophy and ready for movement.”

“I have been showcased as the villain due to my involvement in the separate religion movement. There is the tussle between Vedic philosophy and Sharana philosophy and it has resulted in such development,” he stated.

Surveys conducted during the erstwhile princely state of Mysore and present days too have indicated support for independent Lingayat religion. Its Kannada and Karnataka religion and needs recognition, Chetan said.