Karnataka cabinet agrees to consider Lingayats a separate religion (Lead)

Bengaluru March 19 (IANS) Ahead of the upcoming assembly polls the Karnataka cabinet on Monday agreed to consider the Hindu sect of Lingayats as a separate religion state Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra said.

"Based on the recommendations of Karnataka State Minorities Commission the state cabinet has unanimously decided to grant status of religious minority to Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats (believers of 12th century social reformer Basava s ideologies) " Jayachandra told media after the cabinet meeting.

Lingayats who worship Shiva as the universal god and Veerashaiva Lingayats together constitute the largest community (17 per cent) in the southern state and their votes could influence the outcome of the upcoming state assembly polls in April-May.

The state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to forward the Commission s recommendations to the Central government for approval and notification under the National Commission for Minorities Act the Minister said.

"The minority status has been granted on the Commission s view that a proper recognition is to be given to the Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats on condition that the recognition would not affect the rights of other minorities in the state " Jayachandra said.

A separate committee under the Commission headed by former Karnataka High Court judge Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das had also recommended the grant of religious minority status to the sect.

--IANS
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