Just months before the Karnataka Assembly election, Siddaramaiah-led Congress govt on Monday, 19 March accepted the recommendation of Nagamohan Das Committee for a separate religion status for the members of the Lingayat community. This has become controversial. The BJP has already slammed that the Karnataka govt is playing with fire!
Credit: PTI
An outcome of rebellion against Vedic rituals and casteist practices in the Hindu religion, the Lingayat sect was formed by 12th-century social reformer Basavanna. His followers were taught to worship Shiva, indirect and personal manner, without any Brahminic practices. The progressive nature of the new sect attracted followers from across castes and communities.
Over the centuries, following Basavanna’s death, those practices opposed by him found its way to the religion, leading to the merger of Lingayats and Veerashaivas. The term Lingayat was then used to represent both communities. Living mostly in North Karnataka, the Lingayats are estimated to constitute 17% of the population.
Credit: PTI (Protest against the decision)
How the Lingayats can influence the Karnataka Assembly Poll
The Lingayat issue will not benefit the Congress government. On the ground though, Lingayats feel it is a gimmick by the Congress before the polls, which means the move could backfire. Most Lingayats, especially in the rural part of Northern Karnataka, feel that Congress is dividing their community for political reasons. Also, the effect of the status takes significant time to have a visible change in the community and therefore, the assembly election may not be polarized on the basis of Lingayat issue.
Some additional facts:
Lingayat Religion
Karnataka recommends minority status for Lingayat community: Will it impact Congress, BJP in upcoming polls?
Credit: PTI
“We accept the decision of the cabinet meeting headed by CM Siddaramaiah. He has made the decision to do justice to borth Veerashaivas and Lingayats and this is acceptable to us.” - Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha chairmanBrief History
An outcome of rebellion against Vedic rituals and casteist practices in the Hindu religion, the Lingayat sect was formed by 12th-century social reformer Basavanna. His followers were taught to worship Shiva, indirect and personal manner, without any Brahminic practices. The progressive nature of the new sect attracted followers from across castes and communities.
Over the centuries, following Basavanna’s death, those practices opposed by him found its way to the religion, leading to the merger of Lingayats and Veerashaivas. The term Lingayat was then used to represent both communities. Living mostly in North Karnataka, the Lingayats are estimated to constitute 17% of the population.
Credit: PTI (Protest against the decision)
How the Lingayats can influence the Karnataka Assembly Poll
- The Lingayats have an influence on nearly 90-100 seats in the 224 member assembly. This calculation is based on the number of Lingayats in different assembly seats!
- The Lingayat community, which makes up 17% of the state’s population and is the largest chunk, traditionally supports the BJP, mostly in northern part of Karnataka.
- The latest move appears to be a risky bid by Congress to split BJP’s Lingayat vote base. The Congress hopes the move will get the support from the Lingayat community.
- The Congress also hopes that the final decision on the issue which has to be taken by the Centre will be a double-edged sword for the BJP. Since it has become the Centre’s responsibility, if BJP doesn’t give minority status to the community, it will definitely affect BJP adversely.
The Lingayat issue will not benefit the Congress government. On the ground though, Lingayats feel it is a gimmick by the Congress before the polls, which means the move could backfire. Most Lingayats, especially in the rural part of Northern Karnataka, feel that Congress is dividing their community for political reasons. Also, the effect of the status takes significant time to have a visible change in the community and therefore, the assembly election may not be polarized on the basis of Lingayat issue.
“Though it looks like a carefully drawn strategy of the Congress, I don’t think it will stand to gain much in terms of electoral benefits. In fact, the party might lose some votes as there is a feeling among common voters among Lingayats that the Siddaramaiah government has divided them.” Harish Ramaswamy, ExpertThe Lingayat community is considered as a traditional vote base of the BJP. Its chief ministerial face B S Yeddyurappa belongs to the Lingayat community. Therefore, the initial move to invoke minority status to the community may not lure the people to Congress in the upcoming elections and BJP know this clearly as B.S Yeddyurappa remains the tallest leader of the Lingayats.
Some additional facts:
- Prof. M M Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh, who was murdered in the recent past, were both Lingayats. Incidentally, they supported the idea of declaring Lingayats as an independent religion.
- Since, many influential politicians, businessmen and religious leaders from Lingayat community run many educational institutions in Karnataka, across India and abroad, the religious minority tag hugely benefit their businesses. Hence, it is assumed that the community will quietly agree to the idea of a separate religion.
- There are also many constitutional guarantees religious minorities are provided, plus the status opens up access to some central and state funds! This also helps the young people of the community to get educational opportunities.
Lingayat Religion
Karnataka recommends minority status for Lingayat community: Will it impact Congress, BJP in upcoming polls?
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