Dharwad, October 8, 2013: Basava Dharma Peetha head Mathe Mahadevi has condemned the statements issued by the Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha for claiming Lingayat dharma and Veerashaivism were the same.

Speaking to presspersons here, she said Mahasabha members have submitted a memorandum to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other Union Ministers demanding Constitutional recognition to Lingayat Veerashaivas.

But Lingayat dharma was an independent religion like Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism and deserves Constitutional recognition as such, she asserted. Veerashaivas should not tag themselves with Lingayats, she added. While they could appraise the government of their problems and get constitutional recognition, merging with Lingayats for political mileage was not proper, she said.

To exert pressure on the State Government and the Centre, a rally would be taken out in Bangalore on November 16 and a public function would be held at Freedom Park, demanding that the Union government declare Lingayat dharma as an independent religion. A delegation led by MLAs and MPs would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, she said.

Answering a query on Adda Pallaki, Mathe Mahadevi vehemently opposed the Adda Pallaki Utsav being taken out by seers of a few mutts. She said, Lingayat dharma preached non-violence and equality. Hence, seers being carried by devotees on a palanquin did not hold good, she reasoned.

Source: The Hindu, October 8, 2013