Davanagere: Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who led the All India Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha for 13 years, had said, “There is no difference between Veerashaivas and Lingayats; they are the same”.He consistently opposed the demand for a separate religious status for the community. Shivashankarappa, who became the president of the Mahasabha in 2012 when the pitch on a separate Lingayat religion was growing louder, never hesitated to take on his own party’s govt when it came to the issue.Analysts noted that the campaign for a separate Lingayat religion contributed to the setback for Congress in the 2018 assembly election.As sub-groups within the community demanded reservations, he emphasised the need for unity among Veerashaiva-Lingayats. He maintained that the community would be strengthened if the Guru and Virakta traditions united. Senior religious leaders respected his advice.Shivashankarappa also expressed dissatisfaction with the recent social and educational survey. His support for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community transcended political boundaries, drawing criticism from his own party members.When attempts were made to remove BS Yediyurappa as the chief minister in 2021, he stood by him, publicly declaring the Mahasabha’s support for the BJP strongman. He favoured the saffron party’s BY Raghavendra ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, causing a stir in the political circles.Recalling his association with Shivashankarappa, Jagadguru Fakir Dingaleshwari Mahaswami of Shirahatti Sansthan, Balehosur, told TOI that the welfare of his community was far more important for him than politics.Shivashankarappa played a significant role in uniting the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, and brought all five Panchacharyas of Pancha Peethas together. He also organised a massive convention in Davanagere that brought all sub-castes of the community on one platform.Sparsh Hospital in Bengaluru said Sunday that Shivashankarappa “peacefully breathed his last at 6.20pm.” He was admitted on Oct 23 with a lung infection and renal failure and was treated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.“Despite comprehensive medical care, his condition gradually deteriorated due to age-related multi-organ dysfunction,” the hospital said in a statement.
