Daijiworld Media Network - Davanagere (SP)

Davanagere, Sep 3: The issue of creating separate Lingayat religion which was in the backburner for some time, has again emerged as a contentious issue between the Congress and BJP leaders.

Addressing a press conference, ministers Murugesh Nirani and C C Patil advocated strongly in favour of Veerashaiva - Lingayat to remain as a united religion. They argued that these should not be split into separate religions. The ministers opposed Congress MLA MB Patil's statement on the issue. They warned the Congress that the party, which has the bitter experience of earning the people's ire after once strongly demanding for Lingayat religion, will get destroyed if it fights on the same issue.

Industries minister, Murugesh Nirani, pointed out that the chief minister belongs to the same community and there are many ministers from this community. "We can convene meeting and discuss advantages and disadvantages of all the issues and get the issues sorted out. Chairman of Backward Classes Commission, Jayaprakash Hegde, has already conducted study on the issue," he stated.

Nirani said that he is not speaking about Panchamasali community separately. He said he is in favour of bringing all minor factions of the community together and provide them a voice to raise. He also said he is not aware of efforts being made to create a separate religious head for the Panchamasalis and that he will speak to people concerned on the issue.

Minister for agriculture, B C Patil, recalling that the Congress and former minister M B Patil, had once experienced humiliation for raising separate religion issue and warned that the party will be decimated if it again gets associated with the same issue.