Bengaluru, (DHNS): Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Lingayata Yuva Sabha workers on Tuesday staged a protest against Mate Mahadevi for her remarks against Rambhapuri Prasannarenuka Veera Someshwara Rajadeshikendra Shivacharya Mahaswami.

Shanthaveera Swami of the Kolada Mutt and Mahanthalinga Shivacharya Swami of the Vibhuthipura Mutt led the protest held at Town Hall here. They came down heavily on Mate Mahadevi and said that she was misleading the public by her claims that Lingayat was an independent religion.

“Veerashaiva and Lingayat are one and the same. A few leaders have deliberately raked up the controversy for personal gains. They want Lingayat to be an independent religion for political reasons. We will soon hold a meeting and arrive at a decision to settle the matter,” Shanthaveera Swami said.

Mahanthalinga Shivacharya Swami said Mate Mahadevi was diving society. “She shouldn't have spoken ill about the Rambhapuri seer. She should restrain from making comments on other pontiffs,” he said.
The seer claimed that Basavanna did not use the term ‘Lingayat’ in any of his vachanas. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has funded a few temples to create controversy over the issue. Mate Mahadevi should help poor people than dividing society,” he said.