Seers to hold convention to end Lingayat row in Karnataka

Seers of Pancha Peeta Mutt have accused politicians of attempting to divide the community.

Pontiffs of the five core Veerashaiva mutts are all set to organise a convention to put an end to the row over separate religious status to Lingayats. The Pancha Peeta mutts will come together in a show of strength in Davangere of Karnataka.

The massive convention will, however, have to wait till the end of the Hindu month of Shravana. Chiefs of the Kashi mutt, Rameshwaram Mutt, Ujjaini Mutt, Rambhapura Mutt and Srishaila Mutt will come together to send a message to the political class. Seers believe that the rift within the Veerashaiva and Lingayat communities is a result of politics ahead of the 2018 assembly elections.

The convention is expected to bring together seers from both Veerashaiva and Lingayat mutts and take a pledge to remain united and protect the interests of 'Hindu culture'. The idea to hold the convention comes at a time when Lingayats in Karnataka are demanding a separate religious status to the community. Community heads, led by Mate Mahadevi has claimed Lingayatism is different from Hinduism and hence should be considered as a separate religion.

The Pancha Peeta pontiffs are seeing red over the demand for a separate religious status for Lingayats. "Panchapeeta plans to host a month-long awareness programme among community members if the situation remains unchanged despite the convention. Through these programmes, we will educate them on the history of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community and how they are not different from each other," said Sri Siddalinga Rajadeshikendra Shivacharya swami of Ujjain Peeta.

The row has turned ugly with seers making personal attacks at each other for opposing and supporting the demand for a separate religious status for Lingayats.

OneIndia News