Daijiworld Media Network - Kalaburagi
Kalaburagi, Mar 19: Soon after the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government accepted the suggestions of Nagamohan Das committee and okayed separate religion status for 'Lingayat' community on Monday, clashes broke out between Lingayat and Veerashaiva followers in Kalaburagi city.
The Lingayat supporters took out a victory rally at Sardar Patel circle, while the Veerashaiva supporters were protesting against CM Siddaramaiah and setting his and his cabinet ministers' portraits on fire.
Situation turned worse when Lingayat supporters beat up a Veerashaiva follower identified as M S Patil. The police had to intervene and disperse the crowd. Four were taken into custody.
An elated Tontadarya math swamiji told reporters that the 900-year-old fight for a separate religious tag is finally taking shape. However, Veerashaiva pontiff, Rambhpuri Guruji had earlier said, report submitted by Justice Nagmohan Das committee was biased and warned Congress consequences if they recommend it.
Karnataka cabinet's decision on Lingayats divisive: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called the Karnataka's Congress government decision on Monday to recognise the Hindu sects of Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats as separate religion an attempt to "divide the Hindu society".
BJP accused Congress of indulging in “vote bank politics”. BJP party general secretary in-charge of Karnataka P Muralidhar Rao alleged that Siddarmaiah intends to "divide and rule".
"Congress carrying 'Divide and Rule' legacy of Britishers in India. Siddaramaiah ji is playing with fire for vote bank politics. Why has Congress done this before elections? Why haven't they done it 4 years back?" he said in a tweet.
The party's Lok Sabha member Shobha Karandlaje, tweeted: "Kannadigas (people of Karnataka) will never forgive you (Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah for your intention of dividing the Hindu society. For cheap vote bank politics, you are playing a dirty game. You cheated the whole community by dividing the leaders and Swamijis of Karnataka."
By granting a separate religion status, the ruling Congress was asking Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats, who believe in 12th century social reformer Basava's ideologies, to not follow Hinduism, she alleged.
Briefing media persons after a cabinet meet, state law minister T B Jayachandra said: "Based on the recommendations of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, the state cabinet has unanimously decided to grant status of religious minority to Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats."
Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats,Awho worship Shiva, together constitute the largest community (17 per cent) in the southern state, and their votes could influence the outcome of the upcoming state assembly polls in April-May.