Even as the differences between the community leaders and religious heads over the demand for independent religion status for ‘Lingayata Dharma’ are yet to be resolved, those supporting the ‘Lingayata’ nomenclature are busy preparing for another rally and convention for the cause. This time in Hubballi.
Much water has flowed under the bridge since the first mega rally for independent religion status in July was held. Subsequently Latur in Maharashtra, Belagavi and Kalaburagi in Karnataka have seen massive congregation of followers of the faith, highlighting the need for an independent religion status.
While the representative body of Lingayats, Akhil Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha wants an indepedent religion status, it has stuck to the ‘Veerashaiva/ Lingayata’ nomenclature, while the other group is staunchly fighting for going ahead with only ‘Lingayata’ nomenclature.
Repeated attempts to arrive at a consensus have not been successful and the plan to have an expert committee of ten members, with five persons representing each group, has been shelved following differences on giving veto power to the president of Veerashaiva Mahasabha.
Meanwhile, Vishwa Lingayata Mahasabha is going ahead and organising indoor and outdoor meetings across the State with the community leaders and members and the momentum has picked up in and around Hubballi, which is the next venue of the convention to be held on November 5.
The seer of Moorusavir Mutt, where a temporary office for the Hubballi convention has been set up, has refrained from attending the meetings. In his absence, the seer of Murugha Mutt of Dharwad, Sri Mallikarjun Swami has taken the lead. Minister for Mines and Geology and district-in-charge minister Vinay Kulkarni and former minister and JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti have taken interest in mobilising people for the convention and are making preparations for the mega event to be held at Nehru Stadium in Hubballi. Mr. Kulkarni and several of the community leaders have been creating awareness by holding village level meetings and discussions. Publicity material like posters, banners of ‘Hubballi Chalo’ have now started appearing in towns and villages asking the followers of twelfth century reformer Basavanna (who is considered as founder of Lingayata) to congregate in Hubballi for the cause. Various organisations such as the Basava Kendras are also actively involved in the awareness campaign and motorcycle rallies are being planned. The organsiers expect a crowd of 5 lakh for the convention and accordingly arrangements are being made.
As with the previous conventions and meetings, BJP leaders are likely to give the convention a miss. Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar has deliberately kept himself away from it. However those leading the movement have said that invitations would be extended to the BJP leaders to participate in the movement.
