<p>Former Zilla Panchayat president Y Ramappa’s statement on the polling day at Neralgi village has sparked a cold war between the Veerashaiva-Lingayat and AHINDA (acronym for minorities, the backward classes and Dalits) communities.</p>.<p>Alleging that Ramappa had abused Lingayat community, the video of which has gone viral, members and leaders of Lingayat community, cutting across the party lines, on Thursday took out a massive protest march in the city.</p>.<p>The agitators demanded the government to take action against Ramappa on charges of caste abuse.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Y Ramappa, in a press meet, told reporters, “I have not used Veerashaiva-Lingayat word anywhere. Hence, the question of me tendering apology never arises. In fact, during the protest, the agitators have abused the caste. So, they should apologise, failing which, I will convene a meeting of AHINDA leaders in a week and stage a protest. We will show the strength of AHINDA,” he said.</p>
<p>Former Zilla Panchayat president Y Ramappa’s statement on the polling day at Neralgi village has sparked a cold war between the Veerashaiva-Lingayat and AHINDA (acronym for minorities, the backward classes and Dalits) communities.</p>.<p>Alleging that Ramappa had abused Lingayat community, the video of which has gone viral, members and leaders of Lingayat community, cutting across the party lines, on Thursday took out a massive protest march in the city.</p>.<p>The agitators demanded the government to take action against Ramappa on charges of caste abuse.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Y Ramappa, in a press meet, told reporters, “I have not used Veerashaiva-Lingayat word anywhere. Hence, the question of me tendering apology never arises. In fact, during the protest, the agitators have abused the caste. So, they should apologise, failing which, I will convene a meeting of AHINDA leaders in a week and stage a protest. We will show the strength of AHINDA,” he said.</p>
