Daijiworld Media Network - Chitradurga (DC)

Chitradurga, Mar 28: The 'Math run' by BJP national president Amit Shah in Karnataka eyeing Lingayat votes ahead of Assembly polls to be held on May 12 continued on Tuesday, March 27. But during his visit to Murugha Math in Chitradurga, he faced an awkward moment when Sri Shivamurthy Murugharajendra Swamiji submitted a memorandum, seeking approval of the minority religion status for Lingayats as recommended by the Karnataka government.

Amit Shah is in Karnataka in a bid to reach out to the Lingayat community a week after the Siddaramaaiah-led government recommended separate religion tag to Lingayats.

After receiving the memorandum, a visibly upset Shah left in a hurry citing his tight schedule without any assurance on the same.

In the memorandum, Murugha Swamiji said, "A Lingayat movement is on in Karnataka, pressing for minority status for the Lingayat community. Though it appears there is a conflict between Lingayats and Veerashaivas, it is just temporary as people from both sects have been issuing emotional statements. The Karnataka government has rightly recommended granting of minority religion status for Lingayats. It is not a step to divide community but a medium to unite."

Lingayats were approved as separate religious minority by the Karnataka government on March 19. The government accepted the recommendation of a committee under the state Minorities Commission Act and the proposal was sent to the centre for final approval. The recommendations were made by a committee led by Justice (retd) Nagamohan Das.

Lingayats have been backing the BJP during elections for the last many years. Meanwhile, spiritual leader, Mathe Mahadevi recently said that followers of Lingayat would be supporting Congress party in the assembly poll.