The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Dharma’ dominates inquiry panel hearing

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Wednesday, Jul 01, 2009
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‘Dharma’ dominates inquiry panel hearing

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: Justice B.K. Somashekhara Commission of Inquiry on church attacks on Tuesday witnessed a heated debate on the notion of “dharma”.

The debate followed a question raised by advocate Byatha N. Jagadeesh, in the course of cross-examining witness B.S. Revanasiddiah, as to whether “Lingayat community” can be referred to as “Lingayat dharma”.

Objections

This led to a barrage of objections. Government advocate L.N. Hegde objected to the question on the ground the witness is not an “expert” to answer the question.

Lawyer for Hindu memorialists Satish Chandra argued forcefully that Lingayats form “a part of Hindu religion.”

Mr. Jagadeesh said there was no “bad intention” behind the question.

After hearing arguments and counter-arguments, Justice Somashekhara allowed the question, observing that there could be thousand interpretations for religion and it did not warrant expertise given the limited context.

Mr. Revanasiddiah, member of an organisation called Shiva Sainya, said that Lingayat could be described as “dharma”.

He had submitted in his affidavit to the commission that he had visited seven villages in Davangere district at the suggestion of the Sirigere Math swamiji and gathered information on 15 families being converted into Christianity.

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