A mega rally to put forth the demand for according independent religion status for Lingayat will be held in Hubballi on November 5 and it should become an eye-opener for the Union government, said Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi.
Speaking at a meeting at the Murugha Math here on Sunday in connection with the arrangements for the rally, Mr. Rayaraddi said that the mega rally would be one more attempt to push forward the demand for independent religion status for Lingayat.
He said that this issue was turning complex by the day due to the stubborn stand taken by certain politicians and heads of religious institutions.
Those politicians and religious heads prioritising their personal interests were creating hurdles in the way of pushing forward the demand for independent religion status. The demand for independent religion status did not prop up overnight, he said.
However, now, this issue is getting some stability as a large number of people have stepped forward pressing for the demand. But, this issue has become a matter of prestige for influential politicians and seers of various mutts. They can neither spit it nor swallow it, he said.
Minister for Mines Geology Vinay Kulkarni rubbished the reports that he was participating in this agitation following an instruction by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
He said that Mr. Siddaramaiah has neither advised him to participate in the agitation nor had he asked him to stay away. He was taking part on his own and not for gaining political mileage. It was not the Congress but other parties which are trying to ascribe political angle to this issue, he said.
Nijagunananda Swami of Tontadarya Math of Mundargi said that the Lingayat leaders of the BJP were trying to ruin the future of the entire Lingayat community for the sake of power. They should participate in the Hubballi rally scheduled on November 5 and express support to the cause, he said.
