The State government has not yet taken any decision regarding the claim for an independent religion for the Veerashaiva/Lingayat faith, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that a demand was made in this regard during his visits to the Murugha Mutt in Dharwad, Vijayapura and at a felicitation programme organised by the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha.
“Responding to their demand, I told them to submit a memorandum in this connection. Now, opinions favouring and opposing the status of independent religion have been expressed and I have told both the factions to submit their respective views. Let them make the submission first. Later, the government will examine it from the legal and Constitutional point of view,” he added. Mr. Siddaramaiah said that neither he carried any personal opinion over this issue, nor his government had taken any stand.
He had also said that the government had not constituted panel to look into this issue and gather opinion.
About the BJP’s stand to remain neutral over the State flag issue, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the BJP has taken an u-turn over the issue of the State flag after Kannada organisations opposed their stand over this issue.
