The Karnataka Lingayat Mutt in Gadag is set to make a Muslim youth as it's Pontiff
In a first, the Karnataka Lingayat Mutt in Gadag is set to make a Muslim youth as it's Pontiff. Diwan Sharif Rahimansab will be incepted on February 26 as the new head of Murgharajendra Mutt. It is said that Sharif Rahimansab Mulla wants to work towards the social justice model of Basavanna, who was a 12-century reformer.
"I am blessed today. I will walk the path of my guru (Basaveshwara). Nobody opposed my decision and choice. The members of the Mutt and my friends helped me," 33-year-old Dewan Sharif said.
Sharif said his parents donated their property as well as him for the betterment of the society, according to the teachings of Basaveshwara.
Meanwhile, head of the Mutt, Sri Murugarajendra Koraneswara Swami, on a Muslim youth to be incepted as new pontiff said, "It doesn't matter what caste you belong to. If God appears to you for a path of goodwill and sacrifice, you will do it regardless of the manmade restrictions of birth and caste."
"They have put the sacred thread and given me the responsibility. They've given me the 'Ishta-linga' and this honour. I have done the 'Ishta-linga dharan'. I'll walk on the path of dharma. Love and sacrifice is the message given to me, that is what I want to propagate," Dewan Sharif Mullah said.
Basaveshwara was a 12th century saint from Bagevadi. He was born to Madarasa and Madalambike in 1131. The social reformer fought against the caste system in Karnataka.
Murugharajendra Koraneshwara Shantidhama which is linked to 350-year-old Koraneshwara Sansthan Mutt will have Dewan Sharif Rahimansab as its first Muslim pontiff. The Mutt is one of the 361 mutts dedicated to Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra mutt of Chitradurga which has a huge following across the country.
(With inputs from IANS)
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