Bengaluru/Shivamogga, 6 Oct

The Lingayat community has once again reignited its demand for separate religion status, with several seers and leaders pushing the agenda at the valedictory event of the 'Basava Culture Campaign–2025', organised by the Lingayat Matadeeshara Okkoota on Sunday.

Among the five resolutions passed was a renewed call to raise awareness for religious recognition of Lingayats, highlighting their distinct identity from mainstream Hinduism.

"All Lingayats are Indians first. Lingayat religion is the religion of Kannada. Country comes before religion," read one resolution. It urged continued efforts to secure government benefits and reservation status similar to those granted to Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.

Describing Lingayatism as the true religion of equality and human values, the gathering called for unity among sub-castes and the upliftment of backward sections within the community. However, the event also exposed deep divisions, as BJP leaders and members of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha stayed away. The 2018 Congress government's recommendation to grant separate religious status had sparked controversy, contributing to its electoral losses, particularly in Lingayat-dominated constituencies.

The community remains divided, with one section maintaining that Lingayats and Veerashaivas are the same, while another asserts that Lingayats are distinct, and Veerashaivas are a Shaivite sect within Hinduism.

No force can separate Veerashaiva-Lingayats: Eshwar Khandre

Speaking separately at Vidhana Soudha, Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre asserted that “no force can separate Veerashaiva-Lingayats.”

Quoting the revered Shivakumara Swamiji, Khandre said both identities are synonymous. “If Veerashaiva-Lingayats progress, the state progresses. If they decline, the state declines,” he added.

He stressed that while geographically Hindus, the community has long sought separate religious recognition, a demand that dates back to pre-Independence and was highlighted during the 2000 census.

Shivamogga villagers boycott survey, demand mobile tower

Villagers from Barur Gram Panchayat in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district are refusing to participate in the ongoing caste survey, demanding the installation of a mobile network tower first.

The Social and Educational Survey, which began on 22 September and ends on 7 October, has faced resistance from residents of Barur, Kallukoppa, Theppagodu, and Mulukeri villages. Locals claim they have been requesting network infrastructure for over three years without a response.

“We’re not against the survey, but basic connectivity is our right,” said Shashikumar, a local resident. He criticised officials for asking villagers to come to the panchayat office instead of conducting door-to-door surveys as instructed by the government.

The protest was temporarily called off after the Sagar Tahsildar assured villagers their demands would be addressed within three days in coordination with BSNL.