Lingayat camp comes out of Veerashaiva Mahasabha, to float new forum

DHNS
January 14, 2018

Bengaluru, Jan 14: The Lingayat camp fighting for a separate religion has decided to formally break away from the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha and create a new Vishwa Lingayat Parishat to carry forward its campaign.

"The decision to create the Vishwa Lingayat Parishat is the result of our unfruitful attempts to make peace with the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha," retired IAS officer S M Jaamdar, who is spearheading the Lingayat religion campaign, told reporters here on Saturday. The new forum will be launched in Bengaluru on January 23.

The formation of the Vishwa Lingayat Parishat seeks to challenge the powerful clout of the 114-year-old Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha, which argues that Veerashaivas and Lingayats are the same. Mahasabha leaders have rejected the Lingayat camp's stake for a separate religion.

"For the past eight months, we tried to work with the Veerashaiva Mahasabha and iron out differences, but it looks like they will not be resolved. Their tone remains the same. We are left with no choice," Jaamdar said.

The Veerashaiva and Lingayat camps, comprising religious leaders as well as members of the ruling Congress, have been at loggerheads over the separate religion issue. Veerashaivas say their religion predates 12th century reformer Basavanna, credited as the founder of the Lingayat faith. Veerashaivas revere a pantheon of holy men (Panchacharyas). The Lingayat camp argues that Veerashaiva and Lingayats are radically different and that the religion must be called Lingayat. This group says it goes by the ideals of Basavanna.

"We want to know if the Panchacharyas accept Basavanna as the founder of the Lingayat religion, that Vachana Sahitya is our only holy scripture and that we do not belong to the Hindu religion. The Veerashaiva Mahasabha has softened its stand on these points, but there are other points where our differences still exist," Jaamdar said.

The Vishwa Lingayat Parishat will be different in that it will have a youth wing (Basava Sene), a professionals cell, a women cell and a platform for Lingayats living overseas. The Parishat will launch a membership drive soon.

Jaamdar refused to comment on an expert committee constituted by the state government seeking six more months to submit its report on demands for the separate religion status for Veerashaiva-Lingayat faith. "We've not fixed any deadline. Let them take time. We're hopeful because we have evidence to prove our case."

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Agencies
March 28,2025

Udupi: Deputy Commissioner K. Vidya Kumari has directed officials to expedite land acquisition for designated industrial zones in the district to facilitate new industries. She issued these instructions during a meeting at Rajatadri on Wednesday.

Lands have been identified across various taluks for industrial development. The DC emphasized that KIADB must acquire these lands and ensure essential infrastructure—electricity, roads, and drainage—to attract industries and generate employment.

A total of 77 acres of private land has been acquired and compensated, including 31.2 acres in Kerebettu village, Hebri taluk, and 45.7 acres in Shivapura village. However, approval for 36.5 acres of government land is still pending. She instructed the forest department to assess whether this land falls under an eco-sensitive zone.

For the Belapu Industrial Area, the DC urged officials to accelerate minor land acquisitions for road expansion and commence construction at the earliest. She also mandated rainwater harvesting systems for all units in the Miyaru Industrial Area to tackle water scarcity.

Currently, 22 export-based units operate in the district. The DC encouraged further promotion of exports and an increase in their number.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director of Industries Nagraj V. Naik, KIADB Development Officer Srinivasa Murthy, Small-Scale Industries Association District President Harish Kunder, Deputy Director of the District Industrial Center Seetharam Shetty, District Skill Development Officer Arun B., and others.

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News Network
March 27,2025

nandini.jpg

The Karnataka government has announced that Nandini milk will become ₹4 costlier per litre starting April 1, 2025. This is the second price hike this year.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna and Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh said the increase is meant to support dairy farmers by covering the rising costs of producing and processing milk.

Officials also said that:

>> The extra money from the price hike will go directly to the milk producers.

>> The earlier ₹2 price hike (announced on June 26, 2024) will be withdrawn.

>> The new price hike of ₹4 will apply to both 500 ml and 1-litre packets.

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News Network
April 7,2025

Mangaluru, Apr 7: The long-standing demand for a separate Beary Development Corporation has hit a wall — the Karnataka government has officially stated that no such proposal is currently under consideration.

Beary-speaking people, mainly settled across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and parts of Kodagu, have been urging the government to set up a dedicated body for the welfare of their community and the promotion of their unique 1,200-year-old language. But during the recent legislative session, Minority Affairs Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan confirmed that his department has not received any proposal on this matter.

The clarification came in response to a question by MLC Ivan D’Souza, who highlighted the community’s cultural richness and a population of over 25 lakh. “The community has raised this demand several times to support education and social upliftment, but the government hasn’t taken any concrete steps,” he said.

In his reply, the minister pointed out that the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation (KMDC) already runs various welfare schemes for Muslim, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, and Parsi communities. Since Beary speakers are considered part of the Muslim community, they are eligible for benefits under these existing programs, he added.

Still, many in the Beary community feel that without a separate development body, their identity, language, and specific needs risk being overlooked.

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