BENGALURU: Taking serious exception to Pejawar Mutt seer Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji’s statement that Lingayats are part of Hinduism, retired IAS officer and secretary of Lingayat Dharma Horata Samiti S M Jamdar has challenged the seer for a public debate on the issue.
Jamdar, who is part of the campaign fighting for a separate religion tag for Lingayat community, asserted that the community has remained separate from the 12th century and the opposition of Hindu seers and RSS leaders for the agitation is unwarranted.
Unlike Hinduism, there is no casteism, no scope for rituals like ‘homa’ and ‘yagna’ in Lingayat dharma. Lingayats worship only one god, Shiva, unlike Hindus who believe in many gods, Jamdar told reporters on Friday.
Jamdar challenged the Pejawar seer for a public debate on the issue and said, “We will convince them how Lingayat dharma is different from Hinduism.” He wanted the issue to be resolved without any animosity between the communities.