By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The Dharwad district unit of the Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha has urged the followers of Basavanna to mention their religion as Lingayat in the religion column during the forthcoming socio economic and educational survey.
Addressing presspersons along with other office-bearers of the mahasabha in Hubballi on Wednesday, president of the Dharwad unit M.V. Gongadashetti said that all Lingayats who follow Basavanna should get their religion mentioned as Lingayat.
“And, in column 9, they should mention their caste. And, if their caste name is mentioned in column 10, then, they can mention the same,” he said.
Replying to a query, Mr. Gongadashetti clarified that their agitation is not against any religion, party, organisation or any sub-case.
“Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha, which has taken a stand that Veerashaiva and Lingayat are one and the same, has failed to get the status of independent religion for Lingayat. So, we are fighting to get independent religion status under the name of Lingayat,” he said.
He also said that Veerashaiva is part of Lingayat and so, the members of Veerashaiva community too should support the movement. They (Veerashaiva followers) should remember that never before a government has recognised a religion with dual names and they should accept this reality and join hands with the movement for minority independent religion status, he said.
Office-bearers of Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha G.B. Halyal, Basavaraj Lingashettar, S.V. Pattanashetti, Channappagouda Patil and Dakshayani Koliwad were present.
