The Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha is making a significant plea to devotees of Basaveshwara: to formally identify as ‘Lingayat’ in the upcoming Socio-Economic Survey conducted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, beginning this Monday.
During a press conference held on Sunday, Mahasabha State vice-president Basavaraj Bulla and district president Prabhuling Mahagaonkar highlighted the historical context. They recalled that in 2017, the state government established a seven-member expert committee, led by former High Court judge H.N. Nagmohan Das, to assess proposals for granting religious minority status to Lingayats.
Subsequently, the State Cabinet had indeed moved to grant “religious minority” recognition to both Lingayats and Veerashaiva-Lingayats, adherents of Basaveshwara’s philosophy, and formally requested the Central government to confirm this status under the Central Minority Commission Act.
However, Mr. Bulla noted that the Central government rejected the state’s proposal. He characterized the reasons given as “lame and untrue,” particularly the claim that if Lingayats were recognized as a distinct religious group with a unique code separate from Hinduism, Scheduled Caste members practicing the faith would forfeit their existing Scheduled Caste status and associated benefits.
Both Mr. Bulla and Mr. Mahagaonkar vehemently refuted the Centre’s assertion, arguing against the idea that Scheduled Castes would lose entitlements if Lingayats achieved religious status.
They concluded their appeal by emphasizing the profound importance of individuals registering ‘Lingayat’ as their religion in the forthcoming survey. This, they stressed, is a vital step toward achieving the long-sought religious minority status for the Lingayat community.