Hubballi
MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Friday alleged that certain communist-minded Swamis are attempting to distance the Lingayat community from Hinduism. Speaking to the media ahead of the Veerashaiva Lingayat Ekta Samavesha, he emphasized the shared traditions and principles of the Veerashaiva and Lingayat communities. He claimed that some Swamijis are deliberately creating divisions between the two communities for personal gain, showing little interest in the welfare of Lingayat religion or Shaivism.
Yatnal criticized certain Mathadhipathis for allegedly insulting Hindu customs and exploiting Basavanna’s teachings for selfish purposes. “If you claim to follow Basavanna’s principles, why do you perform foot worship?” he questioned.
Highlighting the lack of official recognition, he noted that the Indian government has yet to recognize Lingayats and Veerashaivas as separate religions, urging people to write their caste in the caste column and “Hindu” in the religion column.
He also criticized the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, claiming it has failed to question unconstitutional reservations given to Muslims and is influenced by three political families: Yediyurappa, Shamanur, and Khandre. Yatnal alleged that Yediyurappa is corrupt and has no intention of granting OBC status to Lingayats, using society for personal political gain.
He reiterated that Veerashaivas and Lingayats share the worship of Linga and called for unity in the community, warning against divisive influences for selfish interests.
