Vijayapura: The Lingayat religion row has turned into some sort of active volcano, as it keeps erupting time and again. The debate, which first cropped up during Siddaramaiah’s reign as Chief Minister, has only devolved as there seems to be no end to the mudslinging.
Most recently, former home minister M B Patil took on Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji of the Sri Pejawar Adokshaja Mutt for calling an all-community meeting on the Lingayat religion discussion.
It can be recalled that the former minister, in the recent past, had picked a verbal fight with former state water resource minister D K Shivakumar for speaking about the issue and asking the public to pardon the state government for becoming a ‘mediator’ in the movement.
Enraged by the Pejawar seer’s request, Patil said, “Who is the Pejawar seer to speak on this matter? Let him sort his Mutt’s issues before poking his nose into others’ business. It is not right for him to interfere in the matters of other communities and religions. We will not allow anyone to do such a thing.”
He then challenged the seer to “sit and eat with the Dalits and allow Dalits or Lingayat’s to become pontiff of one of the mutts associated with the Udupi Sri Krishna temple” if he is “so concerned about universal brotherhood”.
“Who is he to convene an all-religion meet to discuss on the Lingayat issue? Is he the Congress party high command or the country’s Prime Minister for all to answer his call?” he continued, lambasting the seer.
It can be recalled that the Pejawar seer had called for a meeting of leaders of all religions to discuss the Lingayat issue, during his visit to Mysuru. He had also said that the people who worshipped Lord Shiva were not only Lingayat’s but also Hindus.
Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swamiji of the Panchamasali Mutt had also opposed the Pejawar seer’s call saying, “He needs to understand the religion before making any statements about the Lingayat issue.”
