Basavaprabhu Swamy, head of Basava Dharma Peetha of Basavakalyan, alleged that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was hatching conspiracies to weaken the ongoing movement seeking independent religion status to Lingayat community.

Addressing reporters here on Wednesday, the seer said that Lingayat community members within RSS fold were slowly realising the real politics and deserting the organisation.

“Many members of the RSS are Lingayats. If Lingayatism becomes an independent religion, they all become part of new religion. The RSS will thus lose its solid base. That is why they are hatching a conspiracy to undermine the movement. However, Lingayats are quitting RSS after realising anti-Lingayat ideology of the Hidutva outfit,” he said.

‘Lesson to BJP’

Expressing discontentment over the silence of Lingayat leaders in the BJP on the demand for independent religion tag, the swamy warned that the community would have to “teach them a lesson” in the next Assembly polls.

“Lingayat leaders in BJP get party tickets for contesting elections only because of their community strength. It is the community that has shaped their political career. They cannot remain silent when their community has struggling for a crucial demand. If they continue to distance themselves from the movement, the community will have to teach them a lesson. We will openly call upon community members not to vote for those contestants, be it B.S. Yeddyurappa or Shamanur Shivashankrappa, who don’t support the demand,” he said.

‘No loss to Hinduism’

Referring to concerns of a section of Hindu religious leaders, the swamy said that Hinduism would in no way be affected by the recognition of Lingayatism as an independent religion. Terming Hinduism as a religion of inequalities and discrimination, he said Lingayatism advocated equality and fraternity among people and aimed at achieving global peace.

“When home-grown faiths such as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism were recognised as independent religions, Hinduism did not get affected. It will be true with the 900-year-old Lingayatism as well,” he maintained.

Hubballi rally

The seer called upon Lingayats belonging to all groups to participate in rally scheduled for Sunday for mounting pressure on both state and union governments on the demand for an independent religion tag.

“We have already held five massive rallies in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Another rally will be held in Hubballi on Sunday. The state government should immediately send a recommendation supporting the demand and union government should recognise the community as an independent religion,” he said.

He also called upon community members to take part in national Lingayat conference scheduled to be organised at National College grounds in Bengaluru on November 19 to mark the 22nd anniversary of formation of Lingayat Mahasabha.