Ready for debate on Lingayat religion, says Pejawar seer

Paryaya Pejawar Mutt seer Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swami has said that he is ready for a debate over separate religion status for Lingayats if the discussion is held at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru after January 18.

Retired IAS officer S M Jamdar had challenged the seer for a debate on the issue. Speaking to the media persons here on Saturday, the seer said that if the debate was to be held at the earliest, it could be arranged in Udupi.

“I am prepared any time to attend the debate. I am not selfish and I have no political motives. I urge the Lingayats to stay in Hinduism as they are part of Hinduism,” he reiterated.

Asserting that Lingayats were Hindus, the seer contradicted the statements made by Jamdar. The seers of Siddaganga Mutt and Suttur Mutt participated in the regional conference of Vishwa Hindu Parishad held in 1968 and 1985. The controversy over separate religion tag is a new one and it is diluting the prominence of Lingayats in Hinduism. Basavanna had also agreed on the concept of reincarnation and rebirth, he said.