VIJAYAPURA:“The Lingayat movement for a separate religion will continue in the name of Basava Dharma,” announced former minister M B Patil in Vijayapura recently. After a brief silence over the controversial issue, Patil, who had spearheaded the movement, is the first senior leader in the state to rake it up post-elections. Sources in Congress said, in the wake of its adverse impact on the election outcome, the party may not revisit the issue in a hurry, Patil is keen to rekindle the movement to put pressure on the Centre for a separate religion tag for Lingayats.
Speaking to media persons here on Monday, Patil said, “The movement took a pause as many Lingayat leaders were busy in the election process. It will restart as soon as former IAS officer S M Jamadar, gets back. Hubballi MLC and senior JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti will also join forces.” “Prominent leaders and experts will organise a meeting to restart the demand for a separate religion tag for the Lingayat community. But this time, the approach will be different. The team will conduct a detailed research at the grass-roots level about the life of Basavanna and the initial days of Lingayat dharma.”
“Educative conferences will then be held across the state,” stated Patil.“The agitation will continue till we achieve our goal. We will get the tag of the separate global religion Basava Dharma, similar to Buddhism. But we will remain Hindus,” he added.