Even as differences of opinion over the demand for independent religion status for Lingayats have not died down, a consensus seems to be slowly emerging among the different communities, organisations and religious heads, especially in northern Karnataka.
Mutts in northern districts, particularly those belonging to the ‘Virakta tradition’ (followers of 12th century reformer Basaveshwara), have gradually turned into meeting places for people of the faith to up the ante on the demand to be recognised as a separate religion. They are keen to organise people outside the State as well. On the other hand, the heads of the ‘Pancha Peethas’ of the Veerashaiva tradition are still opposing the demand. There is conspicuous silence among the mutts in southern Karnataka, which are regarded powerful institutions.
Mellower stand
After making statements strongly opposing the demand, BJP strongman and chief ministerial candidate of the party in the next election B.S. Yeddyurappa appears to have now mellowed down. While not moving away from his earlier stand, he is now saying that the representative body of Lingayats, the Veerashaiva Mahasabha, would be the final authority on the issue.
Several BJP leaders, particularly those from the community in north Karnataka, have fallen silent on the issue.
Interestingly, Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha is now headed by Congressman and former Minister Shamanuru Shivashankarappa. It has batted for religion status for ‘Veerashiva/Lingayata Dharma’, sinking all differences between factions within. This was the stand of the mahasabha long before Mr. Shivashanakrappa took over. Amid these developments, Sri Gurusiddha Rajayogindra Swami, seer of Moorusavir Mutt in Hubballi, a prominent Lingayat mutt in the region, has said it is better to go with the term “Lingayata” to include all factions if it facilitated the independent religion status. He asserted that Lingayata Dharma was different from Hinduism.
He added that senior religious heads of the faith, community, and political leaders should arrive at a consensus to take the issue forward.
Staying away
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who initially expressed his willingness to send a proposal to the Centre on the issue, seems reluctant to make any categorical statements.
Speaking in Hubballi on Thursday, he only said that he had asked the community representatives to submit a proposal burying all differences.
