Rachappa Bannidinni
Bagalkot: A new association has been formed by a group of Panchamsali pontiffs triggered speculation about division within Panchamsali community which is fighting for 2A reservation status.
Panchamsali, a sub-sect in the Lingayat community has a significant number in the state and having substantial share in state politics. Now the community has demanding CM post and 2A reservation. Last year prominent pontiffs of Panchamsali embarked padayatra from Basavakalyana to Bengaluru demanding 2A reservation status for the community.
Already two mutts in the state, one is Panchamsali Veerashaiva Lingayat peetha in Harihara and Kudalasangama Panchamsali Lingayat Mutts, and the existence of two mutts led to a lot of confusion among devotees. The creation of a new forum will add more confusion among community.
Nearly more than 30 pontiffs belonging to the Panchamsali sub-sect have gathered at Jamakandi, formed a forum to take forward their demand of 2A reservation status to the community. Barring two pontiffs of Panchamsali Mutts and Jagadugurus, all swamijis belongs to all panchamsali mutts have attended the meeting.
Sources in the Panchamsali community stated that there is a political agenda in forming forum. Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani was behind in informing this forum of Panchamsali pontiffs in the state. It is a known fact that Mr. Nirani has thrown a hat on the ring, if BJP central leadership changes the leadership in the state. He is one of the front runner to the CM post.
As a first step, he needs support from the Mutts to claim CM post before the party central leadership, thus he was backed to constitute an association of panchamsali mutts, sources added.
However, sources also said that, to divide the Panchamsali community, incumbent Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa was behind in constituting a new association of panchamsali pontiff.
The intention of this association seems different, an insider says that just to give the checkmate to Panchamsali Veerashaiva Lingayat peetha in Harihara and Kudalasangama Panchamsali Lingayat Mutt, this forum has been formed.
In the recent past, pontiffs have directly involving in political activities and giving political statements. Their direct association with politicians was led discomfort in the community. Few samijies have openly given statements, demanding BJP high command to appoint Nirani as the Chief Minister. Even devotees have opposed for direct interference of the Swamiji's in political affairs.Few of them openly backed Yediyurappa.
The intention of forming this forum was to highlight the failures of Harihara Panchamsali Veerashiva and Kudalasangama Panchamsali Mutts. This forum has decided to give free education, free hostel to the community students. The forum would also help other community people besides giving free education to panchamsali community students.
Nirani was miffed with Basanagowda Patil Yatnal during the agitation of 2A status to the panchamsali community. During padayatra, Mr. Yatnal, and former MLA, Vijayananda Kashappanavar criticized Nirani for his non-cooperation to 2A reservation agitation. To regain his popularity in the community, Mr. Nirani wanted an alternative forum to fulfill his desire to become CM, sources added.
To substantiate Nirani's backing to this forum, his brother, Sangamesh Nirani had attended the meeting and briefed the media about the new forum of pancamsali pontiffs. He defended for not giving an invitation to two mutts for the meeting.
Around 80 pontiffs have attended the meeting. This is not an alternative forum to panchamsali mutt.