UDUPI: Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt on Saturday accepted the challenge thrown up by Lingayat Dharma Horata Samithi secretary and retired IAS officer S M Jamdar to debate his observation that Lingayats are part of Hindu religion.
The seer said he is ready to participate in a public debate after he completes his ‘Paryaya’ period on January 17.
“Now I can’t go out of Udupi. After January 17, a debate can be held at the Vidhana Soudha hall,” he said in a statement on Saturday. Jamdar, who is part of the campaign fighting for a separate religion tag for Lingayats asserted that they remained as separate community from the 12th century. He had opposed the view of the seer who said Lingayats cannot be considered non-Hindus.
The 86-year-old seer stated he has great regard for all Lingayats, who show love towards him. “The reason for my statement is that the power of Hinduism should not subside in Karnataka,” he said.
Jamdar said Lingayats do not believe in rebirth and they follow monotheism. Hence, they are a different group.
“Several other sects within Hindu religion do follow monotheism. Social reformer Basavanna had also accepted the concept of rebirth,” Pejawar seer said.