Intensifying their campaign seeking a separate religion tag for Lingayats, those heading the campaign launched the Vishwa Lingayat Parishat, a parallel body to the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, on Tuesday with JD(S) leader Basvaraj Horatti as its national president. Speaking after the launch, Mr Horatti claimed that over 500 members of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha had resigned and joined the new organisation.
Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash R. Patil has been appointed as the State president of Vishwa Lingayat Parishat. While Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil has been made the working president, retired IAS official S.M. Jamdar, who is spearheading the campaign, has been appointed the general secretary.
“With no indications that the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha will go together with us and agree to seek a separate religion tag for Lingayats, it has become inevitable for us to form a separate forum,” Mr. Horatti said. The Veerashaiva and Lingayat camps, comprising religious leaders and members of political parties, have been at loggerheads over the issue.
