Hubballi
Vachananda Swami of Harihar Panchamasali Peeth has urged that the socio-educational survey be conducted in a scientific manner. He questioned the government’s motive behind hastily carrying out the survey, pointing out that the Kantaraju Commission report had been rejected for being unscientific.
Swamiji emphasized that advertisements should be published in newspapers to invite public objections. Following this, a committee of legal experts should be formed, discussions held with community elders, and only then should the survey be conducted. He requested the Chief Minister and the concerned minister to clarify the confusion caused by the Backward Classes Commission, which has created uncertainty in the caste list.
After consulting the community across 16 districts, the Panchamasali Peetha and the Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Sangh have decided that, for the social and educational survey, members of the Panchamasali community should write “Hindu” in the religion column and “Lingayat Panchamasali” in the caste column. Swamiji clarified that this decision was made after field consultations and not from within the monastery. Awareness of this decision will be promoted by pasting informative stickers in community households.
He further stated that the recent Ekta Samavesha has no relation to the Panchamasali Samaj. It was a meeting of a small section of the community, with only around 7,000 participants, including a few swamis, while the rest of the priests merely attended in saffron attire. No decisions were taken in that meeting, and Swamiji asserted that the Panchamasali community remains clear and informed despite external confusion.
