The demand of independent religion status for Lingayatism gathered new momentum on Sunday with another massive community rally in Kalaburagi.
It was the fourth rally in the last two months after Bidar, Belagavi and Latur (Maharashtra).
Lakhs of community members arrived from different parts of Hyderabad Karnataka region as well as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana marched from Gunj through Supermarket and Jagat Circle to Nutan Vidyalay Grounds where a public meeting was conducted.
They held saffron flags and banners and wore white Gandhi caps imprinted with Basaveshwara’s image, while playing traditional drums, singing Vachanas of Basavanna and other social reformers of 12th century and raising slogans for independent religion tag for their community.
Traffic movement in the area came to a standstill for hours as large number of crowds filled the streets.
Heads and administrators of over 20 Lingayat mutts, including Mate Mahadevi, Sharanabasappa Appa, Tondadarya and community leaders cutting across party lines including Ministers Sharan Prakash Patil, M.B. Patil, Vinay Kulkarni, Basavaraj Rayaraddy and Basavaraj Horatti, former IAS officer Shivanand Jamdar and others participated and addressed the huge gathering.
“We had been independent religion since in 12th century. We are now simply demanding for its constitutional recognition. We will not rest till our demand is met,” Sharan Prakash Patil declared from the dais.
Shivanand Jamdar, former IAS officer, reasoned as to how Lingayatism was independent religion. He clarified that the massive Lingayat mobilisations were not against any religion, but for constitutional recognition of Lingayat religion. “Vedas, Upanishats, Agama and other ancient vedic literature is basis for (the) Veerashaiva sect. However, Lingayatism is founded by Basavanna and other Sharanas in 12th century. Vachana literature is our religious texts,” Mr. Jamdar said.
The massive stage that could accommodate large number of seers and community leaders was named after renowned Lingayat scholar Dr. M.M. Kalburgi. A collection of scholrary articles on Lingayat religion authored by Mr. Kalburgi was released by Irrigation Minister M.B. Patil.
Rashtriya Basava Sene (RBS), a national level organisation of Lingayat, was also inaugurated on the occasion. Minister Vinay Kulkarni was declared as the founding president of the outfit.
“We need to build a new India. Ours is a tradition of Anubhava Mantapa. We will take a special membership drive to expand the base of RBS. All Virakta Mutts will be our offices” said Mr. M.B. Patil.
He added that Veerashaiva was one of the several sects within the fold of Lingayatism. “If Veerashaivas want an independent religion tag for their sect, we don’t have any problem. Let them try. But they are trying to associate with Lingayats and demand for a Veerashaiva-Lingayat religion, which we oppose. They should not take Lingayat term,” He said.
He declared that next mobilisations would be held on November 5 at Nehru Maidan in Hubballi, on November 19 at the B.R. Amedkar Stadium, in Bijapur, before holding a National conference in Bengaluru on December 10 where over 20 lakh people would be mobilised.