Thu Sep 18 07:52:32 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:

**Headline: Lingayat Panchamasali Community to Identify as ‘Lingayat Panchamasali’ in Karnataka Caste Census, Sticks with ‘Hindu’ For Now**

**HUBBALLI/BENGALURU, September 18, 2025** – The Lingayat Panchamasali community, a powerful demographic force in Karnataka, has reached a consensus to identify as “Lingayat Panchamasali” in the upcoming socio-economic and educational survey (caste census) across the state. However, the community will continue to list “Hindu” in the religion column, “for the time being,” as discussions continue regarding independent religion status for Lingayatism.

The decision was reached after two separate meetings held on Wednesday, one in Bengaluru and another in Hubballi, involving community leaders and religious heads from the Lingayat Panchamasali community.

While both meetings agreed on the “Lingayat Panchamasali” nomenclature for the caste column, the issue of religious identification sparked debate. The Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha had suggested using “Lingayat,” “Veerashaiva,” or “Veerashaiva Lingayat.” While the Bengaluru meeting quickly agreed to stick with “Hindu,” the Hubballi meeting saw more vigorous discussion.

Ultimately, the Hubballi meeting decided to maintain “Hindu” in the religion column until the ongoing efforts to secure independent religion status for Lingayatism are resolved. Sri Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swami, a prominent figure in the Lingayat movement, emphasized the importance of identifying as “Lingayat Panchamasali (Code A-0868)” to avoid confusion and to assert the community’s distinct identity.

The Bengaluru meeting, attended by prominent figures like former minister Murugesh Nirani and Shankar Patil Munenakoppa, echoed the sentiment of using “Hindu” for now. The seer of Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Jagadguru Peetha, Harihar, stated that there was no need to mention any sub caste and that the community should identify itself as Hindus until the separate religion matter is decided.

This decision marks a significant step for the Lingayat Panchamasali community as they navigate the complex landscape of identity and religious recognition in Karnataka. The outcome of the caste census could have significant implications for the community’s access to resources and opportunities in the state.

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