BENGALURU, BELAGAVI: Panchamasali Lingayat community’s agitation, which showed all signs of turning intense with each passing day, seems to have subsided for now with Kudalasangama pontiff Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji calling off the protest on Thursday.
Exhausted after a day’s fasting, the pontiff ended his protest after Panchamasali Lingayat leaders, including former minister CC Patil persuaded him to do so. The pontiff launched an indefinite hunger strike on Thursday in protest against the police crackdown on Panchamasali Lingayat agitators in Belagavi a few days ago.
Panchamasali Lingayats’ protest seeking an apology from the state government for its “heavy-handed” response captured public attention with the pontiff going on hunger strike. However, tensions ran high till MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar’s intervention.
Kashappanavar told The New Indian Express that he was with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the day the protest was launched. Despite sending three ministers to convince the protesters to withdraw their agitation, the pontiff and his supporters refused to meet with them. This seems to be to send a bold message that the government was “anti-Lingayats”.
In an attempt to end the impasse over their demand for reservation, Siddaramaiah has convened a meeting of Panchamasali Lingayat legislators from all parties on December 21. Kashappanavar, who played a key role in facilitating this meeting, said, “It’s a step in the right direction.”
The community’s demand for reservation may not be resolved soon. Kashappanavar highlighted the complexities surrounding the issue and stated that with the case still pending in court, it would be impossible for the government to meet the community’s demand at this stage.
However, conflicting statements over the issue, particularly from BJP MLA Basana Gouda Patil Yatnal, have shocked many.
Senior Panchamasali leader HS Shivashankar stated that the withdrawal of protest is only a temporary respite for the government.