No Lingayat leader has criticised Hinduism, says Gadag seer

No Lingayat leader has criticised Hinduism either during the movement to get recognition as a religion for Lingayat or otherwise, Sri Siddarama Swami of Tontadarya Mutt in Gadag said in Belagavi on Thursday.

He was answering questions from students and the general public as part of Basava Sanskruti Abhiyan.

He denied allegations that seers or community leaders have been abusive of Hinduism or are highlighting some of the social evils attached to Hinduism.

“First of all, we need to understand that Hinduism is not a religion. It is a way of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated this. If you consider it within this large framework, all of us are geographical Hindus. All those living in Hindustan are regional Hindus. However, the way of life we follow may be different. And, Lingayat is a religion. It has a distinct cultural and social identity. For example, Lingayats do not accept the theory of karma and the theory of rebirth,” he said.

“We are fighting to secure our identity. I do not think any Lingayat leader has criticised Hinduism or insulted it or opposed the beliefs of Hindu faith. However, reformers and leaders have been opposing the customs, superstitions and discrimination in our society. This has been happening from time immemorial,” the seer said.

“The State government has accepted the report of Justice Nagmohan Das on recognition of Lingayat religion and has forwarded it to the Union government. We are now urging the Centre to accept it,” he said.

He appealed to the community to write Lingayat in the religion column in the social and educational survey and list their caste in the caste column.

“Since we did not do this in the past, the Backward Classes Commissions, led by L.G. Havanur and Venkat Swami, did not recognise Lingayat as one group,” he said.

The seer said that till 1871, all government documents listed Lingayat as a religion. “But it was changed in 1881 due to the ploy of some vested interests who turned it into a caste among Hindus. Once we get recognition as a religion, we will get minority status and all government benefits. There will be no need for reservation then,” he said.

To a question, he said that inter-faith marriages are accepted in Lingayat religion. “Basavanna has led the way in the 12th century. Love knows no religious barriers. Anyone who takes Linga Deeksha by accepting Basavanna’s philosophy, becomes Lingayat. There is no confusion about this,” he said.

Sri Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swami of Sanehalli said that the aim behind the movement is to create awareness among the common people and politicians.

“We are confident that politicians will understand the issue slowly,” he said.

To a question about why there is no unity among Lingayat politicians, Sri Shivananda Swami of Aadi Handigunda Math said that the trend is that they are united only for power.

“But once the awareness levels among the public increase, the politicians will rally behind the cause for religion status,” he said.

Mata Vagdevi said that Basavanna’s ideology has universal appeal and not restricted to some groups. “It is something that everyone needs, especially students. It should be introduced in textbooks,” she said.

Sri Nijagunananda Swami of Nischal Mantapada said that the ill effects of Western culture can be reduced by introducing Basava culture during childhood.

“We need to move our youth and children away from darkness, corruption and superstitions. They may be present in our Vedic culture or foreign culture. But we need to lead them towards Basava culture,” he said.

The pan-Karnataka Abhiyan is organised by various Lingayat associations, including the Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha, the Lingayat Mathadishara Sanghatane, the Sharana Sahitya Parishad, the Rashtriya Basava Dal and the Lingayat Sanghatane. A mega rally will be held in Bengaluru on October 5.

To a question on Artificial Intelligence, Mahantaprabhu Swamiji of Shegunasi said that “AI is just a tool that help us get information.” “It can never replace a Guru. We need to be in control of it, though,” he said.

Basavalinga Pattaddevaru of Bhalki said that Shaiva predated Lingayat. But it consisted of social evils like the caste system. Vedic religions allowed casteist practices. But Lingayat does not have it, he said.

Sri Siddarama Swami said that Basavanna founded Lingayat religion as he was upset with the social evils of Vedic religions.

Earlier, the seers unveiled a large painting of the Anubhav Mantap at the Rudrakshi Math. A procession was taken out in the city. Community leaders Basavaraj Rotti, S.G. Sidnal, Chandrashekar Gudasi, Ashok Malagali and others were present.