Veerashaiva Lingayat mutts of Guru, Virakta traditions should come together: Somanna
Inaugurating programmes on the second day of the summit of Veerashaiva Panchacharyas and Shivacharyas in Davangere on Tuesday, Mr. Somanna said that if the State government did not err in the socio-educational and economic survey, the Panchacharyas of the community may not have shared a common platform and efforts to bring together the Guru and Virakta seers may not have begun.
Mr. Somanna said that there over 2,500 Veerashaiva Lingayat mutts in the State and there is a need for uniting them as a united Veerashaiva Lingayat will have a great future.
'There are over two crore members of Veerashaiva Lingayat community in the State. There is poverty among the community members and a large number of them are living below poverty line. Efforts are required to pull them up and make amends to the inconveniences being caused to the sub-sects. If the differences among the sub-sects are not buried, then we will have to face great danger in the coming days,' he said.
The Minister said that strengthening of the community's roots is not possible by politicians. And, seers should lead the initiative by bringing together the Guru and Virakta traditions.
He urged seer of Rambhapuri Peetha Sri Veerasomeshwar Swami to lead the efforts. Mentioning the caste census, he said that the community members should identify themselves as Veerashaiva Lingayat.
Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil lauded the role played by the Veerashaiva Lingayat mutts in the field of spirituality and education through mass feeding and establishment of educational institutions.
BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said: 'While the community has a great history, we are not in a position to say that it will have a strong future as the Veerashaiva Lingayat community is in distress.'
Mr. Bommai said that Veerashaiva Lingayat community, which has been formed on the basis of humanity, has the power to lead society. 'It is time for putting a full stop to the practice of differentiating between Guru and Viraktas,' he said.
Shivaprakash Shivacharya Swami of Basavana Bagewadi, spiritual thinker M.C. Wali, the former MP G.M. Siddeshwar and others spoke during the summit held in the presence of Sri Veerasomeshwara Shivacharya Swami, Sri Siddhalinga Rajadesikendra Swami, Channasiddarama Panditaradhya Swami, Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Swami and Mallikarjun Shivacharya Swami.
A host of legislators and political leaders were present.
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