Tue Sep 16 17:11:47 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the article, followed by a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

A planned socio-educational survey (caste census) in Karnataka, India, is causing division within the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. The Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha and the Jagathika Lingayat Mahasabha disagree on how community members should identify themselves in the “others” religion column of the census. The BJP accuses the ruling Congress party of using the survey to divide the Hindu community. The Panchamasalis, a sub-sect of Veerashiava-Lingayats, are also divided on the issue. Community leaders claim that their population was underestimated in a previous survey and are now pushing for accurate enumeration.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Caste Census Sparks Division Within Veerashaiva-Lingayat Community**

**Bengaluru, India – September 16, 2025** – A socio-educational survey (caste census) scheduled to begin on September 22nd in Karnataka is igniting controversy within the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, the state’s largest caste group.

The dispute centers on how members of the community should identify themselves on the census form, specifically within the “others” religion column. The Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha is urging its members to identify as “Veerashaiva-Lingayats,” while the Jagathika Lingayat Mahasabha advocates for identifying simply as “Lingayats.” The Veerashaiva Mahasabha is holding a “Veerashaiva-Lingayat Ekata Samavesha” on September 19th to galvanize support for its stance.

The BJP has accused the ruling Congress party of manipulating the survey to sow division within the larger Hindu community. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is dividing the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community,” said MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. “The community is alert and will not fall prey to his political trick.”

The Panchamasalis, a numerically significant sub-sect of Veerashaiva-Lingayats, are also reportedly divided on the issue, further complicating the situation.

The survey, conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, will pose 60 questions to approximately 2 crore households, gathering data on socio-educational and economic parameters. Community leaders have expressed concern that previous surveys, such as the 2015 H. Kantharaj Commission report, undercounted their population. They claim the community constitutes a larger percentage of the state’s population than previously recorded.

The Veerashaiva Mahasabha insists it will move forward with its plan, citing Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to choose one’s religion. According to a source, “Seers of about 1,500 mutts are expected to attend the convention, and they will create awareness among their disciples to enumerate themselves under the ‘others’ column.”

The controversy highlights the complex interplay of caste, religion, and politics in Karnataka, and the census results are expected to have significant implications for the state’s political landscape.

Read More