Announcing Lingayath as separate Religion is to get Minority Status- Pejawar Swamiji

Announcing Lingayath as separate Religion is to get Minority Status- Pejawar Swamiji

Udupi: Efforts to announce Lingayath as a separate religion is to get minority status said Pejawar Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji. He was speaking at a press meet held at the Sri Krishna Math here on July 24.

Lingayath’s worship Lord Shiva, they are Hindus. Koodalasangama Deva is none other than Lord Shiva. There was a similar cry for announcing Ramakrishna Ashrama as a religion without any success. The cry for separate religion is a matter of political opportunity and to get minority status. Lingayath Swamijis have opposed the move. We should not divide Hindu religion but we should build it. The government will also be approached if the issue fails to be addressed.

While the Swamiji was questioned on the caste system being prevalent in Hindu religion and that Basavanna had opposed the caste system and Vedas, Swamiji said that there is no clarity over Basavanna’s opposition towards Vedas, the caste system cannot be put to an end as he is not the one to decide on the caste system while it is a matter which has to be discussed with the other Swamijis. While everyone is striving for unity one should not lean towards division, he added.

He also said that media reports have highlighted the statements saying communal harmony cannot be achieved being involved in leading the Babri Masjid demolition. Swamiji said that he has not led the Babri Masjid demolition but had been actively involved in initiating the peace talks. He also said that he cannot compromise on the ideologies as some people have said that the Swamiji should not take any role in the construction of Ram Mandir. Harmony has to be maintained but there is no question of compromising ideologies and thoughts. He said that the Ram Mandir will be built by initiating peace talks.

While the Swamiji was questioned on the relevance of harmony when there was no harmony left between the eight Maths, the Swamiji said that it is an internal matter of the eight Maths, there is no compromise made on the religious rituals and ideologies following the conflict of interest among the eight Maths. Harmony and ideologies are different matters, he added.

While questioned about Government of Karnataka declaring its support for Lingayath religion, Swamiji refused to comment.

On Chief Minister’s statement of initiating action against officials leaning towards Hindutva ideology he said that if they fail to perform their duty they should be punished but not on their lenience towards Hindutva ideology, he added.