Include all Veerashaiva Lingayat sub-sects under Central OBCs list, say several seers

After a lull, the demand for inclusion of all sub-sects of Veerashaiva Lingayat community under the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has once again been raised with scores of seers of Veerashaiva Lingayat community congregating in Hubballi to highlight the demand.

After a lull, the demand for inclusion of all sub-sects of Veerashaiva Lingayat community under the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has once again been raised with scores of seers of Veerashaiva Lingayat community congregating in Hubballi to highlight the demand.

A few elected representatives too took part in the meeting.

In a first of its kind, seers of both the Panchacharya tradition (Pancha Peetha) and the Virakta tradition of Veerashaiva Lingayat community held a meeting at Moorusavir Mutt in Hubballi on Thursday, in a bid to highlight their demand.

The meeting was in continuation of a similar meeting held in Bengaluru on June 2.

In the meeting held under the aegis of Veerashaiva Lingayata Mathadheeshara Vedike and chaired by Sri Gurusiddha Rajayogindra Swami of Moorusavir Mutt, several prominent seers, including Sri Channasiddarama Panditaradhya Swami of Srishail Peetha, Sri Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Swami of Kashi Peetha, Sri Siddalinga Rajadesikendra Swami of Ujjaini Peetha, Sri Annadana Swami of Mundargi Annadaneeshwar Mutt, Sri Fakira Siddarama Swami and Sri Fakira Dingaleshwara Swami of Fakkireshwar Mutt of Shirahatti, and others took part and emphasised the need for making united efforts to get the demand fulfilled.

Making the introductory remarks, Sri Mahanthalinga Swami of Vibhuti Mutt, Benglauru, said that the demand for inclusion of all sub-sects of Veerashaiva Lingayat community in the Central OBCs list has been a long pending. Based on the Chinnappa Reddy Commission report, it has been recommended to include 16 Lingayat sub-castes in the Central OBCs list, which too is pending, he said.

Advocate Mohan Limbikai said that while recommendations from other State governments have been approved, the recommendations from Karnataka have been kept pending for long.