The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government’s fortnight-long socio-economic survey has triggered a storm within Karnataka’s most powerful community — the Lingayats. The community now finds itself vertically divided over a sensitive question: should Lingayats identify as Hindus or as a separate religion? The rift runs deep, not just among community members, but also among seers, mutts, and political leaders across party lines.

On one side, the Federation of Lingayat Mutt Seers and the Global Lingayat Mahasabha are demanding that Lingayats should be registered as ‘Others’ in the religion column and as ‘Lingayat’ in the caste column. Supporting them are social bodies like the Veerashaiva Mahasabha and Raddi Lingayat associations. However, Panchamashali seers and associations insist Lingayats should continue under Hindu religion, with caste as Lingayat.

Politically, the divide is just as sharp. The BJP wants Lingayats to register as Hindus, while Congress leaders are pushing for ‘Others’. Many believe this could be a political game-changer — if Lingayats gain minority religious status, it would hurt BJP while giving Congress a major advantage. Congress Lingayat leader and Veerashaiva Mahasabha President Eshwar Khandre has openly supported registering under ‘Others’. Meanwhile, BJP stalwarts like B S Yeddyurappa and State President B Y Vijayendra are urging the community to stick with Hindu identity.

Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil accused the father-son duo of “pleasing their BJP political bosses” and “sacrificing the interests of the Lingayat community.” He further said: “When the decision was taken at Veerashaiva Mahasabha in front of all the seers, Yeddyurappa and Vijayendra were silent. Besides, Vijayendra’s daughter is the women wing president of the Veerashaiva Mahasabha. They did not oppose the resolution there, and after coming out of the meeting, they are speaking against the resolution.”

In his defence, Vijayendra clarified: “It was neither a BJP party decision, nor am I trying to please anyone. It was a decision of Veerashaiva Mahasabha and the seers of mutts are yet to take a call. We will wait for that.” Former BJP Minister Murugesh Nirani also slammed the Congress survey, calling it an attempt to divide Lingayats. He said: “Since there is no name of Lingayat in the religion column and we are living in Hindustan, we should register as Hindu in the religion column.”

Adding to the chorus, Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti warned that the survey could destabilize society. “If anything happens to the country or the state, it will be because of such surveys. It is not for the good of future generations.”