Karnataka government declares minority status to Lingayats

After giving its nod to a separate religion for the Lingayats, the Karnataka government on Friday gave a minority status to the community.

A few days ago, the Karnataka government had accepted the Nagbhushan committee's suggestion to identify a separate religion for the Lingayat community. The cabinet has given the recommendation a green signal and has decided to write to the Centre to grant religious minority status to the Lingayats.

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Karnataka's Lingayat community has long pressed for a separate religion tag and minority status. The community accounts for nearly 17 per cent of Karnataka's population and includes two major factions -- Veerashaivas and Lingayats who follow a 12th century saint called Basavanna.

The move is believed to have a bearing on the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.