MB Patil visits Siddaganga seers for guidance on next steps regarding Lingayat issue

Tumakuru: Siddalinga Swami, seer of Siddaganga mutt, respected the state government’s choice to accord a separate religion tag to Lingayats and its proposal to the centre to endorse the same. 

Water Resource Minister M B Patil who went to the mutt on Wednesday, informed the media that he was there to request the direction of the two diviners on the next steps to be taken regarding the matter.

MB Patil spent 20 minutes in discussion with senior seer Dr Shivakumara Swamiji and the junior seer Siddalinga Swami. The government would follow up on the directions given by the seers. 

Responding to BJP National President Amit Shah’s announcements on the seperate religion status issue, Patil said that Shah wasn’t right in saying that the state government was attempting to break the society. 

“He (Shah) has a place with the Jain people group and had battled for a seperate religion tag for Jainism, because of which the group appreciates such status today. He didn’t protest then but has complaints to Lingayats getting separate status now. By what method can there be an different justice for Jains and for Lingayats? ” Patil inquired. 

To an inquiry on the setting up a Cauvery Nirvahana Mandali, Patil said that neighboring Tamil Nadu government had asked for the foundation of a board (Mandali), however the Supreme Court had suppressed the proposition and requested that the state governments set up a ‘redressal forum”.