Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 20: It is said that Congress high command is upset at medical education and water resources minister, D K Shivakumar's initiative in raking up the Lingayat religion issue and apologising for the mistake of the previous Congress government.

As soon as Shivakumar reiterated his opinion on the previous government's decision about according Lingayat religion tag being wrong, some leaders reportedly approached the party high command with a complaint about the minister. Those who were in the forefront of the movement aimed at securing the status of minority religion to Lingayat, like former minsters, M B Patil and Vinay Kulkarni, raised objections besides taking up the matter with the party high command, it is learnt.

The Lingayat leaders have pointed out that the previous Siddaramaiah government had supported the demand of Lingayat, and Shivakumar was part of the cabinet which formed a committee headed by former judge of the high court, Justice Nagamohandas and recommended creation of separate Lingayat religion to the Central government on the basis of the committee report. The Lingayat leaders say that the party had not suffered setback in Lingayat belts as claimed by Shivakumar, and felt that Shivakumar had made this claim to further his own ego. It is learnt that they feel that Shivakumar has caused discomfiture for the party by issuing this statement at a time when by-polls are round the corner.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dinesh Gundu Rao, said that this happens to be the personal opinion of Shivakumar and the party had not taken any stand on the Lingayat religion issue and even now it does not intend to interfere in the matter.

Rajya Sabha member, Dr Prabhakar Kore, said that Shivakumar has laid bare the truth behind the fight to get recognition for Lingayat religion, adding that it was a ploy of Congress party to bag Lingayat votes. Lingayat leaders however feel that Shivakumar who is not a Lingayat should not have made the above statement, which is an insult to the Justice Nagamohandas committee. In the meanwhile, Lingayat religious convention is being held at New Delhi from December 10 to 12 for pursuing demand for recognition to it, said Sri Chennabasavananda Swamiji, who is head of Basava Dharma Peeta, New Delhi.

The Congress high command is expected to take action against Shivakumar on the issue within a couple of days, as the minister's statement has embarrassed the party which is preparing to fight the by-election.