Some leaders tried to reason out why Lingayatism should be declared an independent religion, at the Lingayat rally in Belagavi on Tuesday.
Former IAS officer S.M. Jamdar spoke in detail about the history of Lingayat religion. He emphatically stressed that Basaveshwara was the founder of the religion in the 12th century and the faith had remained distinct from Hinduism for 900 years. Anyone who does not accept this fact cannot be called a Lingayat, he said.
He said that all historical records pointed out to Lingayatism being an independent religion. He also claimed that the Supreme Court had said that Lingayatism had all the characteristics of being recognised as an independent religion.
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He said that eight sects of Shaiva faith had merged into Lingayatism and set up the first Virakta Mutts. However, the Veera Maheshwara group of Shaivas came to head the Veerashaiva mutts. They were heavily influenced by Vedic teachings and introduced several thoughts and rituals that were opposed to Basaveshwara’s philosophy.
He said that the first census of 1881 had recorded Lingayats as Shudras. “That is what our status will be even now, if we are to remain in Hinduism,” he said.
“A senior swami has expressed concerns that Hinduism will be weakened if Lingayats leave but we were never part of Hinduism to walk out,” he said. Lingayatism has been an independent religion for nine centuries and this needs to be recognised, he said. He cautioned against vested interests who were trying to misguide the community.
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One swami has even alleged that Vachanas were stolen from the holy book Siddhanta Shikhamani. That is utterly absurd, he said.
He pointed out that Veerashaiva leaders in Mysuru and Maharashtra had claimed to be Brahmins and asked not to be considered as Shudras. However, Brahmins in those British States opposed these claims, he said.
Prakash Hukkeri, MP, said that a report by the British government prepared in 1914 had recognised the existence of Lingayat religion.
Gadag Tontad Siddalinga Swami said that the term Veerashaiva was not in use till the last 200 years, while Lingayat religion has been in existence for nearly 900 years. He said that some opportunistic pandits from Andhra desa had hijacked Lingayatism and termed it Veerashaivism and continued to appoint swamis based on caste and hereditary lineage, he said. This was not acceptable to Basaveshwara’s principles, he said.
However, even in the 19th century, the term Lingayat had religious connotations. In 1886, Deputy Channabasappa started Lingayat free boarding centre in Belagavi, he said.
Chitradurga mutt seer Murugha Sharana asked followers not to abuse anyone who did not support the demand. “We will try to win them over by explaining the facts to them,” he said. Bhalki Mutt seer Basavalinga Pattaddevaru asked people not to rest till the goal is achieved.