Karnataka   

Panchamasalis have been neglected: Yatnal

DAVANGERE: The former Union Minister Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has said that most people of the Panchamasali Veerashiva community are agriculturists and the reason for them remaining backward is that governments have not implemented many planned irrigation projects.

Speaking at a conference of the community and the “peetha rohana” celebrations of the first Panchamasali Jagadguru here on Sunday, Mr. Yatnal said that most political parties had realised that nothing substantial had been done for the community. The community had demanded reservation benefits, he said, and cautioned political parties that it was in the process of getting organised and would have a strong role to play in political affairs.

He said some people had wrongly claimed that leaders such as Kittur Rani Chennamma and Sangoli Rayanna belonged to their communities, and added that they were in fact the leaders of the nation and not restricted to any people.

The former Union Minister said that Panchamasali students were not given seats in institutions run by some Veerashaiva maths, while many poor students were not offered fee concession. This was one of the main reasons for Panchamasali people to have their own math and religious leader, he added.

General secretary of the Karnataka Veerashaiva Panchamasali Association Basavaraj Dinddor spoke. President of the district unit of the association B. Lokesh welcomed the gathering. Leaders such as Bhavi Bettappa and B.C. Umapathy were present.

Earlier, the two designated swamijis of the Panchamasali peetha, Mahantaswamiji and Siddalingaswamiji were given a warm welcome at Harihar. A bicycle rally was organised as part of the celebrations.

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