Lingayat leaders from Gadag have condemned the remarks by president of the Akhil Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha and former Minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa against the former bureaucrat and secretary of Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha Shivanand Jamdar at a function in Mysuru recently.
In a joint press release issued from Gadag, presidents of the State bodies of Lingayat Panchamasali Samaj, Lingayat Banagar Sangha, Lingayat Ganiga Sangha and Lingayat Banajiga Sangha, Pabhanna Hunasikatti, Danappa Tadasad, M.B. Badni and Shivabasappa Hesarur and other organisations have condemned the comments of Mr. Shivashankarappa likening Mr. Jamdar to Jinnah.
In the release, they have said that Mr. Shivashankarappa’s statement was indicative of the low level to which politicians like him could stoop to for the sake of their survival and self-interest.
They have said that because of his commitment towards society, Mr. Jamdar had taken up several pro-people initiatives during his service and Koodalasangama, Basavanna Bagewadi, Almatti and Bagalkot were now recognised internationally because of his work.
“Mr. Shivashankarappa does not have any moral right to comment on Mr. Jamdar. Mr. Jamdar has never used society for his personal gains as it had been done by Mr. Shivashankarappa who has misused the community for his personal growth.
Mr. Shivashankarappa’s comment on Lingayats and Basaveshwara was like hearing the Bhagavad Gita from a ghost. The poor Lingayat/Veerashaiva children will never pardon Mr. Shivashankarappa for trying to deprive them of minority facilities,” they have said in the press release.
The leaders have also clarified that the Lingayat movement would continue as pointed out by Sri Tontada Siddaling Swami of Gadag, Sri Siddarama Swami of Naganur Rudrakshi Mutt of Belagavi and other seers. They have also said that Mr. Shivashankarappa by saying that Lingayat and Veerashaiva leaders were now united on the issue of religion status was trying to mislead the community.
