Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s aide and Economic Advisor, Basavaraj Rayareddy, has triggered controversy by asserting that “Lingayat is neither a caste nor a religion, but a movement based on ideology,” adding that “even Hinduism is a culture.”
The statement comes during the state’s ongoing socio-economic and educational survey conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. The BJP has sharply criticized the Congress government, accusing it of attempting to divide Hindus. The party pointed out that the survey form includes an “others” category under religion, which they claim could encourage communities like Lingayats to register separately.
BJP State President Vijayendra alleged that the Congress’s real motive is to create rifts within the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, recalling that similar attempts were made in the past. He further announced that BJP leaders would meet with the Veerashaiva Mahasabha as well as senior Swamijis and Jagadgurus to ensure the community stays united.
Former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, through a post on X, urged the Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha to formally clarify its stance in line with the law and Constitution. He emphasized the ongoing confusion over terminology such as Veerashaiva, Lingayat, and Veerashaiva-Lingayat, while also flagging the introduction of an atheist option in the survey, which he claimed was directed at Siddaramaiah’s agenda.
Meanwhile, on September 16, BJP’s Lingayat leaders held a meeting in Bengaluru to discuss the caste census, where they deliberated on how community members should list their identity in the survey to prevent fragmentation.
