Lingayat to get separate religion status from Hinduism? Siddaramaiah clarifies having 'no stand' in religious matter

Koppal: A day after attending the Basava Culture Campaign 2025, organised by a section of Virakta Mutt seers to renew demand for separate religion tag for Lingayats, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that he has no stand on the issue.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event to inaugurate, lay foundation stone for government projects and programmes, the chief minister said, "I have no stand (on demand for separate religious status for Lingayats). Some Virakta mutt seers are demanding it. The stand of people is my stand. We will write what they say their religion is during the survey.”

The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community is in a state of confusion. The Pancha Peetadhishas, a section of Virakta Mutt seers and the apex body Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha are of the opinion that Veerashaivas and Lingayats are same and that the faithfuls should mention Hindu their religion and Veerashaiva-Lingayat as caste while another section, along with Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha, is seeking separate religion tag.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurates various development works at a programme in Koppal on Monday.

Defending the social and educational survey, Siddaramaiah in an indirect swipe at the BJP, said “The ones who are opposing the creation of a classless and egalitarian society are misleading people on the survey.”

“Should the social and educational survey be conducted or not? If not done, how will we know about individuals’ employment, educational and financial status? What is one’s situation in society? To know that we need data, and to gather data, this survey is being done,” he said, replying to queries on allegations that the survey was taken up to divide society.

“The BJP leaders keep claiming that guarantee schemes have pushed the government towards bankruptcy. But it was the previous BJP government which had steered the state to crisis by approving projects beyond means. We have bolstered the economy through guarantee schemes. Karnataka is number one in per capita income across India,” the CM said.

On talks about extending deadline of the survey, the CM said, “We will wait till Tuesday evening. If it’s not completed by then, a decision will be made on extending the deadline".