Panchamasali Samaj Trust to meet in a week and take a stand on seer

Lingayat Panchamasali seer Basava Jaya Mrutynjaya Swami’s open support and call for protest in favour of expelled BJP leader Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal has not gone down well with the Akhila Bharat Lingayat Panchamsali Samaj Trust, which has resolved to meet in a week to decide its future course of action.

Lingayat Panchamasali seer Basava Jaya Mrutynjaya Swami’s open support and call for protest in favour of expelled BJP leader Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal has not gone down well with the Akhila Bharat Lingayat Panchamsali Samaj Trust, which has resolved to meet in a week to decide its future course of action.

On Friday, the Trust members headed by Chairman Prabanna Hunasikatti, General Secretary Neelakanth Asuti, former legislators Murugesh Nirani, Vijayanand Kashappanavar, Mohan Limbikai, M.S. Akki, S.I. Chikkanagoudar and senior leaders of the community met in Hubballi and addressed a press conference strongly condemning the actions of the seer.

At the conference, Mr. Asuti, Mr. Limbikai and Mr. Kashappanavar raised the issue of recent actions of the seer favouring Mr. Yatnal and a particular party, which they said was unbecoming of a seer heading a religious chair. “Speaking in favour of an individual or a political party and questioning the stand taken by a political party against an individual is not what is expected from a seer. Previously, the Trust had issued him notice over such actions and this time again his actions are not in line with the objectives of the Trust,” they said.

Mr. Kashappanavar even alleged that the initial acceptance of the previous government’s decision on 2D reservation for the community was the result of a ‘deal’ between the seer and the BJP government. “However after the elders of the community convinced the seer about the futility of the order, he rejected it and reverted to community’s earlier demand for the 2A category. Violating the Trust guidelines, the seer has reportedly built institutions in his name, which is also being looked into,” he said.