Daijiworld Media Network - Vijayapura (SP)
Vijayapura, Aug 3: "What locus standi does Pejawar Swamiji have, to pose us a challenge to participate in a debate with him about the creation of Lingayat religion? Is he our Prime Minister? If he sticks to the principle that Lingayats are Hindus, he should appoint Dalits or Lingayats as Swamiji of one of eight Maths at Udupi, and show his total commitment," said former minister, M B Patil, who has been spearheading a movement demanding separate religion status for Lingayats. His comment came in an angry retort to Pejawar Swamiji's repeated invitation for a friendly debate on the demand for separate religion status put forth by Lingayat leaders.
M B Patil (left) and Pejawar Swamiji
Patil said that Pejawar Swamiji is not a natural party to invite Lingayats for debate. "He is neither a Prime Minister, chief minister, nor our high command. He has been opposing our movement. If he is genuinely committed, we are ready to accept the challenge. But we cannot go to the spot which he suggests for discussions. He should come to the spot we suggest for debate. He can come to the spot which can be decided by Lingayat leaders like Sanehalli Swamiji, Dr S M Jamdar, Aravind Jatti etc," he said in a counter challenge.
He advised Pejawar Swamiji to address the problems faced in his own eight Maths instead of unnecessarily poking his nose in the affairs of other religions.
Reacting to this, Pejawar Swamiji wanted to know the reason for Patil's anger in response to his request to Lingayats not to part ways with Hinduism. He said that his intention is not to set right anomalies in Lingayat religion, but a friendly advice to remain with Hindu religion.
He agreed that there have been several lacunae in the eight Maths in Udupi and that efforts to set them right are on. He said his request to Lingayats is to stay with Hindus and not to correct any mistakes. He said his life is not as long so as to be able to set right everything.
On Patil's challenge to make Dalit the heads of Maths, he wanted to know whether Patil is prepared to do the same. He also said that he had not visited Yediyurappa's home on his own, and said he is ignorant why intellectuals have an axe to grind against him.