Karnataka government gives nod to separate religion for Lingayats
Follow UsIn a landmark judgement, Karnataka government has accepted Nagbhushan committee's suggestion to identify a separate religion for the Lingayat community. The cabinet has given the recommendation a green signal and has decided to write to the Centre to grant religious minority status to the Lingayats.
The Siddaramaiah government decided the same after a lengthy cabinet meeting.
Karnataka Govt has accepted suggestions of Nagbhushan committee; cabinet has given nod to the recommendation of separate religion for Lingayat community pic.twitter.com/Q6cddBQ7ix
— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2018
Karnataka's Lingayat community has long pressed for a separate religion tag and minority status. The community accounts for nearly 17 per cent of Karnataka's population and includes two major factions -- Veerashaivas and Lingayats who follow a 12th century saint called Basavanna.
The move is believed to have a bearing on the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.