Karnataka Govt Ready to Recommend Centre to Declare Lingayatism as Independent Religion: CM

Dharwad: Karnataka state government is ready to recommend union government to declare Lingayatism as an independent religion if the members of Lingayat community have no differences on the fact that Lingayatism is different and separate from Hindu religion, said Karnataka Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah at an event here in Dharwad on Thursday. His statement might have come in the wake of attempts made by some groups within Lingayat community to declare Lingayatism as an independent religion. As of now, Lingayats have been identified with Hindu religion.

The state governments in India can’t declare any system of belief as independent religion. However, the state government can recommend the union government to declare it as a religion, said CM in a felicitation programme extended to him at Murugha Math in Dharwad. CM further said that he is ready to hold discussions with the members and leaders of Lingayat community to recommend the centre to take steps to announce Lingayatism as an independent religion.