Basaveshwara’s humanism central to religion: Champa

Writer and thinker Chandrashekar Patil (Champa), while batting for a separate religion status for Lingayats, said there is a need to clear any confusion over the issue and take a clear stand.

Speaking at a discussion organised by the Veerashaiva Cultural Academy on Friday, he said those who can claim the status of a separate religion have to believe a Basaveshwara-centric philosophy that distances itself from the caste-based Hindu belief system. He said sects like Veerashaiva, with their roots in Hindu ritualism, are not the same as those which believe in a Basaveshwara philosophy centred around humanism.

‘Beyond politics’

On the contention that the issue was getting “politicised”, Prof. Patil said, “The issue is political in a real sense. But, it is beyond party politics.”

Pointing to how the death of scholar M.M. Kalburgi had remained unsolved, Prof. Patil said: “Kalburgi favoured separate religion for Lingayats... He was brutally murdered by fundamentalists and communal forces.”

When asked whether he would take a lead in the movement seeking separate religion for Lingayats, the writer said: “I am an observer. But being a socialist, I support ideology-based Lingayat cause.”