Lingayat religion issue a closed chapter, says Sharan Patil

DHNS

September 16, 2017

Bengaluru, Sept 16: Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil on Friday said the separate Lingayat religion issue was “a closed chapter” as he chose to draw the curtains over the controversy that has raged on for several weeks now.

“The separate religion issue - whether it has to be Lingayat or Veerashaiva-Lingayat - is a closed chapter now. Members of the community will now come together and take a decision,” Dr Patil told reporters after a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

“An expert committee will be formed to take the matter forward,” he said, clearly indicating his retreat.

Dr Patil also said the row involving Water Resources Minister M B Patil and the Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami had been settled. “(M B Patil) has already met the pontiff to clear the air on the confusion,” he said.

The demand for a separate religion tag for the Lingayat faith had divided the ruling Congress into two groups. M B Patil belonged to the group that demanded a separate religion called Lingayat. The group also included Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy. Another group, which demanded a religion named Veerashaiva-Lingayat, comprised veteran leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa, his son and Horticulture Minister S S Mallikarjun and Municipal Administration Minister Eshwar B Khandre.

Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa, meanwhile, said the idea of a separate Lingayat religion was “an illusion” and critiqued the way the campaign was headed. “If you want a religion as envisioned by Basavanna, you must hit the streets to demand abolition of the caste system. Instead, it will simply get restricted to speeches,” he told reporters.

'No Hindu religion'

Asked why his office did not sport a Basavanna portrait as mandated, Thimmappa replied: “I’m not into that madness. I’ve been involved in the socialist movement for the past five decades.”

Thimmappa went on to question the very existence of the Hindu religion. “There are only castes in India. People are leading lives based on caste beliefs. Who founded Hindu religion? What is the basis to call it a religion? Everybody is talking about Hindu unity, but there’s no such thing,” he said.

Comments

Everything can be solved through proper meeting of two sides. At the same time should avoid unwanted statements. Media will catch those things and sensationalise the issue

Seperate Ligayat religion is good. divisions helps to improve and grow the specific community

Why seperate religion. People should unite and make only one

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SMR Public School’s ‘EXCELLENTIA’ highlights academic excellence and holistic growth

News Network

December 16,2025

Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

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QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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