Asserting that Veerashaiva/Lingayat community is a separate religion and not Hindu, Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha on Wednesday resolved to fight against the efforts to bifurcate the community. The body said it would work towards bringing unanimity on the issue to take a united fight forward.
The executive committee of the mahasabha, which met under the leadership of its president Shamanur Shivashankarappa here, also decided to host a meeting to overcome the differences of opinion in the community by inviting religious heads, community leaders and experts.
Those who have taken membership by complying with the rules of the mahasabha but are expressing views counter to those held by the mahasabha will also be taken into confidence to build a consensus over the religion status to Veerashaiva/Lingayats, the body said. The meeting was held in the backdrop of differences of opinion expressed publicly by several leaders over the issue.
Till a consensus is arrived at, the mahasabha has asked its members not to make public statements that could hurt the community’s interest. Opinions on the issue could be given to the mahasabha instead, the resolution said. The executive members also expressed anxiety over moves to drive a wedge between Veerashaiva and Lingayats, which will mislead the community members.
A release from the mahasabha said that since its inception in 1904, several scholars and religious leaders who have steered the mahasabha have held that both Veerashaiva and Lingayats are the same, and the mahasabha continues to adhere to this thought even today. It reminded that the national convention of Veerashaiva-Lingayat religious heads held at Koodalasangama in June, 2003 declared that both were the same. “It was a historical decision where seers from both Panchapeeta and Viraktha mutts participated,” it said.
