Lingayat society can develop only if all the sub-sects remain united, says Laxman Savadi

You don’t have any Active Subscription.

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

Members of the Basava Jayanti Samiti felicitating Minister Laxman Savadi in Belagavi on Sunday. | Photo Credit: P.K. BADIGER

The overall development of the Lingayat community can happen only if all our sub-sects remain united, Laxman Savadi, Minister and Congress leader, said in Belagavi on Sunday.

At a felicitation organised by the Basava Jayanti Samiti and other Lingayat bodies in the Gandhi Bhavan, he called for focus on the development of backward sects among Lingayats.

“We all go around proudly saying that we have 108 sub-sects among Lingayats, but comprehensive community development is impossible if these sub-sects do not remain united. We should forget all our differences and remain united,” he said.

He praised the samiti for inviting leaders from all groups and from every taluk in the district together. “I think today’s program should take the lead in uniting all groups and factions. The work should start from Belagavi and spread across the State,” he said.

He also focused on the equitable development of backward sects among Lingayats. “In doing so, we should focus on strengthening smaller communities among us and ensure their targeted development. Let us send a message to society that united Lingayats will not steal food from the plates of others; at the same time, we will not let others steal from our plates,” he said. “Let us be self-reliant and depend only on our hard work to achieve success. Only then will the change that Basavanna hoped for become possible,” he said.

Responding to the felicitation, he said that recognition by the samiti had increased his responsibility towards the community and society as a whole. “Thousands of people from all 15 taluks are here for this event. I feel grateful. I feel it has given me greater responsibility and protection. If we unite sincerely, the results are certain. We should be aware of the harm that internal rifts can do to the community,” he said.

Ramesh Katti, former MP, claimed that the number of Lingayat MLAs in Karnataka had been dropping significantly over the decades. “At one time, Karnataka had 94 Lingayat MLAs, but now we have hardly 55. This is a matter of great concern,” he said.

“We have to study the situation and introspect on our mistakes. I think that the main reasons for our reduced representation are our differences and factional divisions. We must consider where the Lingayats, who live in harmony with others, are being divided. We must all unite. If we do not unite, the next generation will not forgive us. A day may come when we will have to search for our political and social existence,” he said.

Ashok Pattana, MLA, urged the seers of the community to take on the responsibility of uniting the entire community. He claimed that Lingayats were the largest single community in Karnataka. “Although we are the largest community in the State, we lack coordination. We should remember that if we were all united, we would be the most powerful group in the State,’’ he said.

Lingayat leaders, legislators, and former legislators from all parties were present. Mahantesh Kavatagimath, Former MLC, presided. Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha District president Basavaraj Rotti gave the introductory remarks. JLM General Secretary Ashok Malagali and Anand Gudus anchored. All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha District president Ratnaprabha Bellada welcomed Iranna Deyannavar, who proposed the vote of thanks.

Sri Siddarama of Gadag Tontadarya Matt, Sri Gurusiddha Swami of Karanji Matt, Allama Prabhu Swami of Naganur Rudrakshi Matt, and others were present. Former MPs Iranna Kadadi and Mangala Angadi, Mayor Preeti Kamkar, Deputy Mayor Hanumant Kongali, and others were present.

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.