Overview

• The Basava Samskruthi Abhiyan valedictory adopted a resolution seeking recognition of Lingayat as a distinct religion.
• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared Lingayat is a separate religion and criticized the caste system in his address.
• Several BJP leaders and Veerashaiva bodies stayed away from the event, underscoring divisions within the community.
• Organizers linked the demand to the ongoing Social and Educational Survey, urging classification that could enable benefits similar to Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.
• In 2018 the state accepted the Nagamohan Das panel’s recommendations, but the Centre later rejected recognition, and Siddaramaiah now also announced a Basava University and said the state will recommend renaming Namma Metro as 'Basava Metro'.