Sun Sep 21 15:27:34 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha is urging followers of Basaveshwara to register their religion as “Lingayat” in the upcoming Socio-Economic Survey in Karnataka. This push aims to bolster their efforts to secure religious minority status for the Lingayat community. The Mahasabha disputes the central government’s rejection of their previous proposal, which was based on concerns that Scheduled Castes who identify as Lingayat would lose benefits. They assert that registering as Lingayat is essential for achieving religious minority recognition.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Lingayats Urged to Register Religion in Upcoming Survey**

*Kalaburagi, September 21, 2025* – The Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha is calling on all followers of Basaveshwara in Karnataka to register their religion as “Lingayat” in the upcoming Socio-Economic Survey. State vice-president Basavaraj Bulla and district president Prabhuling Mahagaonkar made the appeal during a press conference on Sunday, emphasizing the crucial role this survey plays in their ongoing pursuit of religious minority status.

The Mahasabha highlighted the state government’s previous efforts in 2017, including forming a committee led by former High Court judge H.N. Nagmohan Das to evaluate the Lingayat community’s claim to minority status. While the state government had recommended recognition, the central government rejected the proposal.

According to Mr. Bulla, the central government cited concerns that granting Lingayats religious minority status would jeopardize Scheduled Caste members who identify as Lingayat, potentially depriving them of existing benefits. The Mahasabha vehemently disagrees with this assessment.

“Registering as Lingayat in the survey is vital to securing religious minority status,” said Mr. Bulla. The organization believes that a strong showing of Lingayat identity in the survey will strengthen their case for recognition, despite the central government’s previous objections. The survey, conducted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, is scheduled to begin on Monday.

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