In a bid to woo the Lingayats, a dominant community in the state, ahead of the assembly elections, the Karnataka cabinet on Monday decided to grant them the status of a separate religion.
"Based on the recommendations of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, the state cabinet has unanimously decided to grant status of religious minority to Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats (believers of 12th century social reformer Basava's ideologies)," state Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra told the media after the cabinet meeting.
Lingayats, who worship Shiva as the universal god, and Veerashaiva Lingayats, together constitute the largest community (17 per cent) in the southern state, and their votes could influence the outcome of the upcoming state assembly polls in April-May. The BJP is widely seen to have influence in the community which the ruling Congress is seeking to woo.
The BJP, whose Chief Ministerial face B.S. Yeddyurappa is a Lingayat, sees the Congress move as an attempt to divide the Hindu votes.
The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has decided to forward the Commission's recommendations to the Central government for approval and notification under the National Commission for Minorities Act, the Minister said.
"The minority status has been granted on the Commission's view that a proper recognition is to be given to the Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats, on condition that the recognition would not affect the rights of other minorities in the state," Jayachandra said.
A separate committee under the Commission, headed by former Karnataka High Court judge, Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das, had also recommended the grant of religious minority status to the sect.
I am a #Lingayat, but have seen myself only as a proud Hindu, and shall always be one. Minority benefits or whatever you offer cannot lure me into your trap.
— Nanjesh Patel (@nanjeshpatel) March 19, 2018
Mr CM, you shall pay for your criminal act with a loss - the day of judgement is coming soon.
The extremely shortsighted decision on #Lingayat issue might look like a master stroke for Karnataka elections to many. I feel this is going to backfire to GOP. Big time. And in more ways than one. All that effort to rebuild soft Hindutva brand goes for a toss with this.
— Yashwant Deshmukh (@YRDeshmukh) March 19, 2018
Yeddyurappa was all for a separate #Lingayat religion. Few years back he had even signed a memorandum on the same. Such gimmicks now. On that few media questioning Congress? pic.twitter.com/Y6vLui3KVw
— Srinivas B V (@srinivasiyc) March 19, 2018
When a Europe born lady's party is trying to declare Shiva worshiping #Lingayat people of India as non Hindus, plenty of people in Europe are busy learning Hindu mantras from Vedas and praising Lord Shiva happily... pic.twitter.com/x6YWdAoWhR
— Kiran Kumar S (@KiranKS) March 19, 2018
I'm a Linagyath! I will tell you, Congress is going to lose rather than any electorate gain. We are organizing a bday celebration procession on Siddaganga seer on 1 April. Just to mobilize Lingayath crowd against divisive tactics. It's happening across the state
— JMS đźš© (@ReadingKills) March 19, 2018
Historic decision in favour of an independent #Lingayat religion by Karnataka government.
— Chetan (@ChetanAhimsa) March 19, 2018
SS Mallikarjun, Eswar Khandre, other Congress hacks-- what happened to you tall claims of resignation?
Live by your words!
That's the essence of sound politics-- which you clearly lack.
A separate Lingayat religion --> one step closer to its actualization!
— Chetan (@ChetanAhimsa) March 19, 2018
KA govt. sends recommendation to Center.
Special thanks to Nagmohan Das Committee & CS Dwaraknath.
Mr. Modi, it's time to stop using Lingayats as vote banks & start approving this legit demand.#Lingayat
