The Hindu
Bangalore, Feb 9: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has expressed concern over religious conversions in the State.
Addressing a massive gathering of Lingayats at the Palace Grounds here on the occasion of the inauguration of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Bhavan on Sunday, he said that “terrorism, conversion and naxalism are serious threats to the country.”
The Chief Minister spoke of his anxiety over some members of his own community getting converted, of late. “It is a matter that should make us bow our heads in shame,” he said. “The country will survive if dharma lives,” he added.
Expressing concern over the rise in terrorism, the Chief Minister said the Government was trying to create awareness on it among students.
He called upon educational institutions, run by religious organisations and maths, to play an “active role” in creating awareness among students on the effects of terrorism. Hailing the services of these institutions to education, the Chief Minister appealed to them to ensure that students from oppressed sections and backward communities got the benefit of education and “dasoha” (free food).
He urged the 1.5 crore-strong Lingayat community in Karnataka to rededicate itself to following the principles espoused by social reformer Basaveshwara.
Mr. Yeddyurappa, who returned from Nagpur where the Bharatiya Janata Party held a national executive and national council meeting, told presspersons earlier that the conclave discussed strategies for installation of its senior leader L.K. Advani as prime minister.
The party State unit would also work towards winning a minimum of 20 Lok Sabha seats out of the 28, he said.
Akhila Bharata Veershaiava Mahasabha president Bheemanna Khandre called upon various sub-sects among Lingayats to stand united.
He appealed to the Chief Minister to bring pressure on the Centre to name the international airport at Devanahalli after Basaveshwara. He also wanted Gulbarga University to be named after Basaveshwara and the women’s university in Bijapur after Akka Mahadevi.
Hint
Mr. Yeddyurappa hinted at the instability of his position as Chief Minister. He said: “You might have read in newspapers that efforts are on to dislodge me.” “But this chair is not important for me,” he declared and, addressing his remarks to the Lingayat heads on stage, added: “It is because of your blessings that an ordinary farmer’s son like me has become the chief minister.”
Several religious heads, including Siddaganga Math seer Shivakumara Swamiji participated in the programme.