Mysuru: Former MLC Thontadarya has taken strong exception to the recent statement of retired IAS Officer Shivanand Jamdar that Lingayats were not Hindus and as such the question of Lingayats leaving the Hindu society does not arise. Addressing a press meet here on Monday, Thotandarya strong by condemned Jamdar’s statement.

Pointing out that as per the Constitution, Veerashaiva, Lingayat, Jain, Sikhs, Buddhists etc, belonged to Hindu religion, the former MLC said that all these don’t have a separate religion tag and even the Courts have said that.

Wondering whether Jamdar was authorised to speak on behalf of the entire Lingayat community, he said that the Hindu Law very much applies to Lingayat community.

He asked Jamdar to realise his responsibility as a former bureaucrat and not to make irrepressible remarks that mislead the  Hindu society.

Karnataka Madhyamika Shikshana Sangha’s Nandish was present.