“Sri Shivakumar swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt has very clearly said that Lingayat should be an independent religion and hence the question of me misinterpreting his words does not arise,” maintained Water Resource Minister M B Patil.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Patil said that sitting next to the swamiji at the inaugural function of the hospital at Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru recently, he had discussed the issue related to independent religion tag for Lingayat. The swamiji very clearly said that Lingayat should be an independent religion, the minister claimed.
“A disciple of the swamiji brought to his notice that I was referring to Veershaiva and Lingayat as separate entities. Even after that the seer pointed out that the Lingayat religion is very old and the Veerashaiva is a recent addition,” Patil stated.
The minister said that such being the ground reality, there is no question of him (Patil) misconstruing the words of the seer. He said that BJP leaders B S Yeddyurappa and V Somanna are trying to give a twist to the issue. Accepting the challenge posed by the BJP leaders if he was ready to swear by his statement by taking a vow at the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru, Patil said that he was ready to do so along with his family. Patil stated that he had not lied. He said that his only concern is that the preachings and the social reformation work of Basavanna should get global recognition and he was working in that direction .