Will not allow division of religion: Shah to seers

Giving a clear indication about the Union government’s proposed decision on the State Cabinet’s recommendation of a ‘religious minority’ status for Lingayat and Veerashaiva-Lingayat (believers of Basava Tatva), BJP national president Amit Shah on Tuesday categorically stated that his party would not allow religion to be divided for the sake of political benefits.

Mr. Shah was speaking after meeting seers of Veerashaiva Peethas and Virakta Mutts at Shivayoga Mandir, about 30 kilometres from Bagalkot city, on Tuesday.

Mr. Shah’s assurance comes at a time when some Veerashaiva seers are reportedly upset over the State Cabinet decision and had indicated about campaigning against the Congress in the forthcoming elections.

The meeting was attended by seers of Kashi, Ujjain and Srishail peetha (among Pancha Peethas), president of Shivayoga Mandir Sri Sangana Basava Swami and scores of seers and several BJP leaders, including the former Chief Ministers B.S. Yeddyurappa and Jagadish Shettar.

Mr. Shah said that the protection of religion was their responsibility too and they would not allow religion to be divided. Claiming that his visit was not for politics but only to seeking the blessings of seers, he said previous Prime Ministers were hesitant to visit temples but Narendra Modi changed this practice.

In the meeting, which went on for close to an hour, presspersons were not allowed inside the hall, but their speeches were audible for those outside.

Various seers spoke against what they termed as attempt to divide the religion.