Independent religion: Fresh challenge awaits Lingayat movement
The Lingayat independent religion debate has been reopened with new government firmly in place. Last government had sent a proposal to central government to grant independent religion status to Lingayat dharma which sought to free itself from being part of Hindu dharma. Though this independent dharma cry had taken centrestage in the last elections, it did not yield any major advantage to Congress. Sangh Parivar was bent upon defeating the Congress led by former CM Siddaramaiah, only to land a severe blow to the Lingayat issue.
BJP went to streets alleging Siddaramaiah was bent upon splitting the Hindu dharma. Veerashaivas who were opposed to Lingayat dharma getting an independent tag, supported BJP. But the Lingayats who saw BJP damaging their cause, didn’t have enough clarity to stand against that party. Lingayat leaders failed to convey the differences of opinion between RSS and the basics of Lingayat dharma. Some Lingayat Swamijis openly vouched their support for Congress for having initiated the process relating to independent religion, but this didn’t turn into votes. This is certainly a minor setback. Congress is not even in a state to respond to this issue right now since the Congress party is not under control of Siddaramaiah. Other leaders who are leading Congress from the front do not want to meddle with this issue since they have surrendered their senses and logic to Brahminical forces. CM HD Kumaraswamy has made his objection to the issue of independent religion pretty evident. He had lacked total understanding of Basavanna’s philosophy and had made light of ‘independent religion’ tag by mentioning even vokkaligas may seek a separate religion tag. HDK is known for his lenience towards brahminical practices and swamijis of that community. Hence he cannot be expected to do anything in this regard.
Brahminical minds have already mislead Lingayat youths against their very core rationale. RSS has realized any independent thinking Lingayat can be a danger to their ‘hindutva’ agenda. Hence the proposal sent from state to centre regarding this issue has been shelved for now. And BJP chief Amit Shah had categorically said they’d not encourage the splitting of dharma under this guise. Hence Lingayats in favor of different dharma cannot expect any encouraging response from BJP at the moment.
This is a good opportunity to convince people about the genesis of this movement. Now that this issue has nothing to do with any impending elections, unlike last time, Lingayat leaders across parties – BJP, JD(S) and Congress – have to work towards this goal. Former minister MB Patil is trying hard to find a space for himself in the new government. Looks like Congress party has planned to maintain distance from those leaders who took part in this separate dharma campaign. With no help coming by, Lingayat leaders have to carry the message of their efforts to their people, without waiting for any approval from their counterparts of party chiefs.
Lingayat is the most genuine and organic religion that was born in Karnataka. It has an independent identity. It is devoid of idolatry, temple visits and has no agents between self and god. The Lingayats do not ever rely on Brahmins or their rituals for any purpose. This was established in 12 century by Basavanna. Today when Lingayat dharma has lost its identity coming under the influence of Brahminical practices and supremacy, it is time to take Basavanna’s message to every Lingayat dharma follower and create awareness about the faith system that’s a pride of every follower. This would also be the resistance exhibited by Lingayat to Brahminical practices. For this purpose, every political reason apart, this state has to own up its religious off shoot, honouring the tradition of this land.
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RSS man's defamation case against Rahul: Key witness unavailable, hearing adjourned to Dec 20
Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker to December 20 due to non-availability of a crucial prosecution witness.
Advocate Narayan Iyer, counsel for Rahul Gandhi, confirmed the adjournment, stating that the witness, Ashok Saykar, currently Deputy Superintendent of Police in Barshi in Solapur, could not remain present due to personal reasons.
Saykar's evidence is now likely to be recorded on December 29.
His testimony is considered key because he, as police sub inspector in 2014, conducted the preliminary inquiry into the private defamation matter under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It was on the basis of Saykar's submitted report that the court subsequently issued process (summons) against Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The criminal defamation case was filed by local RSS worker Rajesh Kunte following a speech given by Rahul Gandhi at an election rally near Bhiwandi on March 6, 2014.
The case stems from the Congress leader's alleged statement that "the RSS people killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."
The matter is being heard by Bhiwandi Joint Civil Judge, Junior Division, P M Kolse.
The hearing had previously been adjourned on November 15 after the complainant's counsel, Advocate Prabodh Jaywant, moved an application seeking permission to examine Saykar, who had submitted the probe report to the court.
The matter was originally scheduled for November 29 but was deferred to December 6 after Rahul Gandhi's legal team sought an adjournment citing their non-availability. The proceedings will now resume on December 20.
