Bengaluru: The Lingayat community, led by several of its seers, has reiterated its demand for recognition as a separate religion. The announcement came during the valedictory function of the 'Basava Culture Campaign-2025', organised by the Lingayat Matadeeshara Okkoota.

Resolutions stress religious recognition

Among the five resolutions adopted at the event on Sunday was the call to raise awareness about religious recognition for Lingayats.

"All Lingayats are Indians first. Lingayat religion is the religion of Kannada. Country comes before religion. Always strive for the unity of the country with national consciousness," the resolution stated.

The resolution also highlighted the historical importance of Lingayat religion, noting that it was founded by Mahatma Basaveshwara and other Sharanas in the 12th century. "Geographically, we are all Hindus. Continue to raise awareness for religious recognition so that Lingayats get government benefits and reservation facilities like Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs," it added.

Emphasis on equality and social cohesion

Claiming that Lingayat religion embodies equality, brotherhood, and human values, the community stressed: "We should all embrace the small, backward sub-castes among the Lingayats, strive for their progress, abandon all the differences between sub-castes, and develop marital relations between the sub-castes."

Political context and past electoral impact

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with Ministers M B Patil, Sharan Prakash Patil, and Laxmi Hebbalkar, participated in the valedictory event.

The issue of separate religion status is widely believed to have adversely affected the Congress party in the 2018 assembly polls. The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government's recommendation to the Centre to grant 'religious minority' status to Lingayats contributed to electoral losses in Lingayat-dominated constituencies. Several Congress leaders who actively supported the separate religion movement then suffered defeat.

The move was also criticised for attempting to divide the community. While one section, led by the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha, advocated a combined Veerashaiva-Lingayat recognition, others sought it solely for Lingayats, viewing Veerashaiva as one of seven Shaiva sects within Hinduism.

Visible divisions persist

The division was evident on Sunday as well. Community leaders from the BJP and ministers associated with the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha stayed away from the event.