Lingayats Held Huge Rally in Hubballi to Demand Separate Religion Status

Hubballi: Lingayats held a huge rally in Hubballi on Sunday to demand separate independent religion status for Lingayat community. Lakhs of members of Lingayat community arrived at Hubballi from various parts of the state and country whereas as many as 150 seers from various Lingayat mutts participated in the rally organised.

Delivering his speech in the rally, Karnataka State Water Resources Minister, Lingayat leader MB Patil said, Lingayats have been demanding for separate independent religion status for their community for past 900 years in the country. There was also a demand for separate religion prior to making of Indian Constitution, minister added.

 “In 1871 we were Lingayats and were not a part of Hindu religion. However, Diwan of Mysore entered the Lingayat community in the list of Shudras.’ Minister added.

Lingayats have already held protests rallied in Bidar, Belgavi, Kalburgi and Latur of Maharashtra demanding separate independent religion status for their community. The rally organised in Hubballi is the fifth rally to strengthen their demand further.