There is an urgent need for Veerashaiva-Lingayat unity, says Minister Eshwar Khandre

Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment said on Thursday that there was an urgent need for Veerashaiva and Lingayat unity, in Belagavi.

“The Veerashaiva–Lingayat community is one of the largest communities in the State. “However, it is unfortunate that it stands at a crossroads today. We must put up strong efforts to unite these communities. We need to recognise that the contribution of pontiffs and various organisations to the field of education and to the growth of the community is immense. We must strengthen and advance our community through organised efforts,” Mr. Khandre, general secretary of the All-India Veerashaiva–Lingayat Mahasabha, said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Free Hostel for Veerashaiva–Lingayat girl students, constructed by the All-India Veerashaiva–Lingayat Mahasabha at Subhash Nagar. The hostel is named in memory of the donor Annapoorna Basalingappa Bellad, Kabbur.

“The Veerashaiva–Lingayat community is immensely powerful. On one hand, several pontiffs have expanded education and moved society forward. On the other, institutions like KLE, BVB and BLDE have made remarkable contributions. A community once economically backward has improved significantly due to the unparalleled service of many great leaders. Yet, it is a matter of concern that we are becoming socially weaker,” Mr. Khandre said.

Mr. Khandre said that Prabhakar Kore, KLE society chairman and Mahasabha vice-president, was instrumental in starting the hostel in Belagavi. The Mahasabha has resolved to establish such hostels for girls in every district.

A hostel for 1,000 students will soon be built in Bengaluru, and the Mahasabha will soon begin work towards this goal, he said. He urged parents and girl students to make use of the vast opportunities available to them and to pursue higher education.

Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti also expressed concern over the internal divisions among various Veerashaiva and Lingayat communities. “We need to rise above these divisions and unite and gain political strength,” he said.

BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra alleged that vested interests were trying to divide the community from within, which was pushing the community backward. “It is the need of the hour for the Veerashaiva–Lingayat community to emerge as a strong, unified force,” he said.

Minister M.B. Patil said that the hostel was a major contribution to the community. He said the state government would continue to support the efforts of Prabhakar Kore towards educational development.

Minister Sharanprakash Patil urged the hostel managers to train the girls in Basava traditions like Ishta Linga pooja and recitation of Vachanas.

Dr. Kore said said it was his long-term dream to establish a hostel for poor girl students who come to Belagavi seeking undergraduate and higher education and that it had come true. He recalled the gift of 24 guntas of land at concessional rates by then Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

The hostel has been constructed at a cost of more than ₹3 crore. All necessary facilities have been provided here, and it currently has 21 rooms, each named after donors, he said.

“Although the Veerashaiva–Lingayat community has wealthy individuals who could single-handedly build such an institution, it was my firm belief that this must be a collective effort of the community. Many donors came forward. Among them, renowned entrepreneur Mahesh Bellad contributed ₹1 crore, setting a great example of generosity. In honour of his mother, the hostel has been named Annapoorna Basalingappa Bellad, Kabbur,” he said.

Sri Gurusiddha Mahaswami of Karanjimath, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, State Mahasabha president Shankar Bidari, industrialist and donor Mahesh B. Bellad, MLAs Raju Kage, Mahantesh Koujalagi, Shailendra Beldale, M.Y. Patil, Ganesh Hukkeri, B.R. Patil, MLC Shushil Namoshi, leaders Hanumant Nirani, Channraj Hattiholi, former MLA Mahantesh Kavatagimath, H.B. Rajashekhar, Asha Prabhakar Kore, and others were present.