Sri Sharanbasava Devaru of Charanteshwar Mutt in Belavi in Hukkeri taluk has argued that ‘Lingayat’ is an independent religion and independent of ‘Hinduism’, which is not a religion but a cultural identity with its history linked to the Indus valley civilisation, which is now being referred to as the Sindhu Saraswati civilisation.
He told presspersons here on Monday that seers of Veerashaiva/Lingayat mutts and intellectuals were creating confusion among the people, claiming that Veerashaivas and Lingayats were the same. But the fact was that Lingayat was a separate religion like Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism or Sikhism, while Veerashaivism was one of the seven sects of Saivism based on Vedic philosophy which has followers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Lingayat as a religion came into existence in 12th century because of the historical struggle led by social reformer Basaveshwara and his followers, the sharanas. The population of Lingayats was more than those who identify themselves as Veerashaivas, which started gaining importance only after 1904 with some mutts mixing Veerashaivism with Lingayatism. The vachanas scripted by vachankaras in 12th century was the religious script of Lingayats.
He said the heads of mutts were either hesitant or scared to accept the truth that Lingayat was an independent religion for the fear of losing their identity and existence. Asked about some seers heading Lingayat mutts associating with Hindutva outfits and making common cause to strengthen the ‘Hindu religion’ even while demanding a separate religious tag for Lingayat, he said there was need to create awareness about the separate identities of Veerashaivism and Lingayat.
