KARNATAKA, INDIA, July 28, 2017 (The News Minute): The demand for a minority religion status, seems to have divided the Lingayat Mutts (monasteries) in Karnataka. Even as multiple views from Lingayat outfits and political organisations have emerged, the demand of a separate religion seems to have divided the Lingayats of northern and southern Karnataka. On July 19, the Vishwa Lingayat Mahasabha, an umbrella organisation of Lingayat Mutts and political leaders, held a mammoth rally in Bidar. This rally marked the revival of the demand for a separate religion. According to Mate Mahadevi, Head of the Basava Dharma Peetha, the convention will be held in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu as well.
“Lingayats are not Hindus and neither are they a backward caste. We follow Basavanna’s Vachanas and not the Vedas. Hence, we should be classified as a separate religion. Just like Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, we too want the status of a minority religion. Apart from the reason that we are not Hindus, the separate religion status will open up opportunities for the members of the community. The government provides approx. US$250 million for minorities as a grant. This will help uplift the members of the Lingayat community,” Mate Mahadevi told TNM.
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