After nearly a decade, the call for official religious status for the Lingayat community has powerfully re-emerged in Karnataka. On Sunday, amidst the presence of the Chief Minister, several prominent figures voiced this long-standing demand, simultaneously exposing existing rifts within the community.
This renewed plea, made during the closing ceremony of the Basava Samskruthi Abhiyan, hosted by the Lingayat Matadeeshara Okkoota, carries particular significance. It comes at a pivotal moment when both Veerashaiva and Lingayat groups are seeking separate religious classifications under the ‘others’ category in the ongoing Social and Educational Survey. However, the use of differing terminologies has only deepened confusion and widened the divide within the broader community.
The issue gained prominence following a robust campaign launched in 2017-2018 by various community leaders, notably including those aligned with the Congress party during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s previous tenure.
Among the five key resolutions adopted at Sunday’s valedictory event, the demand for separate religious recognition for Lingayats was a central point. While the Okkoota emphasized its collective identity within the broader geographical context of Hinduism, it unequivocally stated that distinct religious status is crucial for accessing government benefits and reservation policies.
Shivanand Jamdar, secretary of the Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha and a leading figure in the 2017-2018 movement, passionately called upon the adherents of more than 300 Virukthamutts to actively join the ‘Lingayat religion’ movement.
Heavy Industries Minister M.B. Patil firmly asserted, “Geographically, we may be Hindus, but religiously, we identify as Lingayats. The Lingayat community harbors no animosity towards anyone.”
Furthermore, the Minister urged the Lingayat community to rally behind Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to their development.
Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das (retired), whose seminal report in 2018 led the State government to grant religious minority status to Lingayats, advocated for a robust movement to secure full religious recognition. He also highlighted that Basava’s philosophy stands distinct from conventional religion.
Representatives from over 300 mutts, including many esteemed seers, brought the issue to the forefront. Basavalinga Pattadevaru, the Bhalki-based Hire Mutt seer and president of the Lingayat Matadeeshara Okkoota, stated confidently, “Thanks to Mr. Siddaramaiah’s efforts, Lingayats have already attained separate religious status in Karnataka. Now, it is up to the Central government to formalize this, and we are optimistic that we will achieve full religious minority status. No one can hinder our rightful claim.”
Is the Community Divided?
However, the event subtly underscored the underlying divisions within the community and the intricate Veerashaiva-Lingayat political dynamics. Notably absent were key BJP community leaders, including the influential former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Forest Minister B. Eshwar Khandre, and the office-bearers of the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha.
A veteran Congress leader from the community remarked that it appeared the original cohort from 2017-2018, which first championed a separate religious identity, had reconvened. “The timing of this event raises questions,” the leader observed. “It coincides with the ongoing Social and Educational Survey, a period where sufficient confusion already exists within the community. The conspicuous absence of prominent BJP community leaders, particularly when Mr. Patil and Mr. Khandre represent differing factions, is quite telling; ideally, both should have been present.”
Upon inquiry, Mahasabha secretary H.M. Renuka Prasanna confirmed that their organization had not received an invitation, despite their units’ significant efforts to ensure the event’s success.
State to Propose Renaming Namma Metro to ‘Basava Metro’
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, honored at the Basava Samskruthi Abhiyan’s closing ceremony, announced plans to establish Basava University starting from the upcoming academic year.
Addressing another request to rename ‘Namma Metro’ as ‘Basava Metro’, the Chief Minister stated that the State government would forward this recommendation to the Centre. He noted, “If this project were solely funded by the State, we would have proceeded with the renaming immediately.” He further highlighted that it was his administration that officially recognized Basavanna as a ‘cultural icon’ and mandated his photograph in all government offices.