Karnataka Caste Census Controversy: What CM Siddaramaiah said about Lingayat community that led to political stir? What BJP said?
Karnataka Caste Census Controversy: A statement by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Karnataka has created a stir in the politics of the state. The influential Lingayat community of the state has stood at a major crossroads regarding its religious identity ahead of the upcoming caste census starting from September 22.
This census is no longer just a game of numbers, but has become a deep religious and political battle. This decision has created a new trouble for the Congress government, as the question has arisen whether the Lingayat community will consider itself Hindu or a separate religion.
This controversy is centered on what the people of the Lingayat community will fill in the column of their religion in the caste survey form. There are deep differences within the community regarding this matter. A large section does not consider itself a follower of Hinduism and has been demanding the status of a separate religion. However, officially they are classified as a Hindu sub-caste as 'Veerashaiva Lingayat', which has deepened this identity crisis even more.
A statement by Forest Minister Eshwara Khandre in the Siddaramaiah government added fuel to the fire. On behalf of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha, he advised the members of the community to choose the option of 'other' in the religion column and register their identity as 'Veerashaiva-Lingayat'.
A well-planned conspiracy to divide Hindu votes: BJP
After this advice, the opposition party BJP has launched a scathing attack on the Congress. Lingayat leaders of the BJP have termed it a well-planned conspiracy to divide Hindu votes and weaken the BJP's base. Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai alleged that the Mahasabha has completely joined hands with the Congress. Basavaraj Bommai requested the Mahasabha to give advice within the ambit of law and constitution and said that only six religions are mentioned in the Constitution, so confusion should not be created.
We are Hindus: Vijayendra
At the same time, state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra also clarified that, "We are Hindus and want it to be mentioned as our religion." Actually, the Lingayat sect was founded in the 12th century by social reformer Mahatma Basavanna. The followers of this sect worship Shiva as the only deity, but they do not believe in idol worship, caste system and Vedas, due to which they consider themselves different from the Sanatan Hindu tradition.
Prakash Kumar Pandey