Karnataka government gives nod to separate religion for Lingayats

In a landmark judgement, Karnataka government has accepted 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.

The Siddaramaiah government decided the same after a lengthy cabinet meeting.

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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.