Don't demand minority status for govt benefits, says HD Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: In a way, attacking all those who are opposing the separate religion tag for the Lingayat community, JDS state president, and former CM H D Kumaraswamy has observed that demanding minority status just for the sake of getting government benefits is not right.

Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, H D Kumaraswamy observed that it is unfair to divide the society for the sake of benefits."Let Lingayat leaders fight against poverty and other issues faced by their community," he said."Pontiffs should take a final call on the issue. Politicians should not lead protests for separate religion. Politicians change their stand according to the benefit they get," he said.

He also took a dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and major irrigation minister M B Patil for stirring up a new controversy. "People are facing a number of problems. Instead of working towards resolving them, these leaders are busy playing with emotions of the people," he said.