'Prodded by Lingayat leaders to recommend grant of religious

: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Saturday said he was prodded by Lingayat leaders to recommend reservation for them and that his government's recommedation to the centre to grant religious minority status had led to opposition unleashing false propangda against him.

Siddaramaiah stated this while participating in the groundbreaking ceremony of a school in Chamarajnagar district.

The Lingayat sect was founded by 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara, whose belief revolved around social justice, benevolence and piety instead of orthodoxical rituals and castism prevailing during his time.

"When I was the Chief Minister, seers following Basaveshwaras philosophy insisted that I give the religion tag to the Lingayat sect. It was they who persuaded me."