Siddaramaiah’s remark on religion of Lingayats sparks clash among his ministers | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah‘s remarks that Basavanna conceived Lingayat as a separate religion has reignited an old controversy within Congress and triggered an exchange of words between two senior ministers — MB Patil and Eshwar Khandre — both belonging to the Lingayat community. Siddaramaiah, speaking in Bengaluru Sunday, revisited an issue first raised by the Congress govt in 2017, which was later dropped after the party’s electoral defeat in the 2018 elections. During his previous stint as CM, Siddaramaiah had recommended that the Centre recognise Lingayat as a separate religion. After Congress lost in 2018, deputy CM and state congress president DK Shivakumar subsequently apologised for the move, calling it an attempt that hurt public sentiments. On Monday, industries minister Patil reignited the discussion, saying, “We are all Indians geographically and Hindus by faith. Just as Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism exist in the country, we are also outside the chaturvarna (caste system) arrangement of Hinduism. The founder of the Lingayat religion, Basavanna, taught the same.” He said All India Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha (AIVLM) had moved closer to endorsing this position. “This time, no one can manipulate the matter, as all are united,” he said. Referring to past criticism, Patil said, “Previously, the blame for this issue was placed on Siddaramaiah. Has any trouble arisen from Jains, Sikhs, or Buddhists? They are all considered Indic religions.” However, countering Patil, forest minister Khandre, also senior vice-president of AIVLM said, “No force can divide Veerashaiva and Lingayat communities, as both are one and the same — a truth emphasised by the late revered Dr Shivakumara Swamiji. Our community draws its strength from unity and faces defeat in division.” He said that though all are Hindus geographically, Veerashaiva-Lingayats’ distinct customs deserve recognition. “The All India Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha has been demanding such recognition since before Independence. We are urging for a separate column for our faith in the ongoing caste survey,” Khandre said. “My friends may have different opinions, but our efforts are focused on integrating the community, not dividing it. Youths are falling into drug use and under Western influence. Instead of dividing communities, these issues should be addressed.” BJP state president BY Vijayendra, also a Lingayat, reacted sharply, saying, “Today’s challenge is to protect the Hindu religion, and people should take note of attempts to divide it. Siddaramaiah appears to be rushing in his attempts to divide Hinduism.”