Bidar, July 10, 2013: A delegation from the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has urged the Union government to provide the status of an independent religion to Veerashaiva-Lingayat Dharma.

“Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has responded positively to our request and has said that he will take up the matter with United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,” the former Minister Bheemanna Khandre said in a release.

“Mr. Shinde said that he was convinced of the argument for independent status for Veerashaiva-Lingayat Dharma,” Mr. Khandre said.

A delegation comprising Shamanur Shivashankarappa, N. Tippanna, Vishwanath Chakote, Kaka Koyite, Ishwar Khandre and others met Mr. Shinde in Solapur on July 6.

A rally of Veerashaiva-Lingayat legislators and leaders was held in Solapur on July 7, the release said.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 10, 2013.