Separate religion effort to continue: Minister Eshwar Khandre

Bengaluru: Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Saturday reiterated that Veerashaivas and Lingayats were the same, and that efforts would continue to secure a separate religion status for the “Veerashaiva-Lingayat” faith.

Khandre said that the All India Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha has asked all community members to identify their religion as “Veerashaiva-Lingayat” during the Social & Educational Survey.

“Since the government has not recognised this religion, we’ve left the decision to the conscience of our community members,” Khandra, the secretary-general of the Mahasabha, said.