Lingayat is a separate religion, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Sunday that Lingayat is a separate religion, a statement that is likely to reignite the opposition’s allegations made during 2013-18 that he was trying to divide Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.Speaking at the closing ceremony of Basava cultural campaign 2025, which was organised by Lingayat Seers’ Association, the CM said, “Caste system is rooted in our society. To uproot this caste system, Basavanna launched a separate religion.”The statement comes amid the confusion within Lingayat community, which has been divided over whether to register themselves in the ongoing socio-educational survey as a separate religion or as a caste under Hindu religion.While opposition BJP has been urging Veerashaiva-Lingayats to identify themselves as a caste and strengthen Hindu community in the state, the Congress leadership has been seeking to project the community as a separate religion.In fact, at the beginning of his speech, he said he did not want to dwell upon a lot of matters at the Lingayat convention as whatever he says will soon turn into a controversy. Attacking the caste system in his speech, Siddaramaiah said, “I’m a Shudra under the Chaturvarna system. Just because I’m Shudra (doesn’t mean) I can be denied opportunity for education and equality. Caste does not make anyone big or famous … Knowledge is nobody’s property and cannot be denied.”Siddaramaiah urged the lower castes and all those who follow the principles of Basavanna to consolidate towards ensuring a casteless society in the country.“(Ram Manohar) Lohia once said rallies by forward castes is a caste consolidation effort. But rallies by backward castes and the downtrodden is not consolidation, but a rally towards seeking equality. If we want an equal and humane society then we must consolidate to achieve this goal,” he said.