Asserting that he was not a coward to surrender to the threats by Veerashaiva and Pancha Peetha seers, Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil said he would retaliate with the same force.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the newly constructed Buddha Vihar here on Wednesday, he claimed that Veerashaiva followers were issuing an open threat to him that they would teach him a fitting lesson as he was demanding religious minority status to Lingayats.
“I’m shocked and amazed at the bravery of these Veerashaiva followers who are openly threatening me in my own district, which is also the birth place of 12th century social reformer Basavanna,” he said.
On the allegation of Panchapeetha seers that by asking for a separate religious tag for Lingayats, the Congress government was breaking the Hindu religion, Mr. Patil wondered how the Hindu religion was breaking only when a separate religious tag was sought for Lingayats and not Veerashaiva-Lingayat.
Stating that efforts were being made by Veerashaiva followers to defeat him in the next election, Mr. Patil said he was 99% confident of winning the election.
“Even if I lose, it will be considered as my sacrifice for the restoration of Basavanna’s ideologies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Patil expressed confidence of the Union government recognising Lingayat as religious minority.
He said they have every required document and the Supreme Court order to back their demand. “In case the Centre refuses to accept the demand, then we have no choice but to knock on the door of the Supreme Court,” he said.
