Karnataka caste survey: Panchamasalis to go with ‘Hindu’ for religion and ‘Lingayat-Panchamasali’ for caste

The demographically-strong Lingayat Panchamasali community, which has now three religious Peethas in Karnataka, has decided to go with “Lingayat Panchamasali” nomenclature during the forthcoming socio, economic and educational survey (caste census) in the State. And despite differences on the issue of how to name the religion, the community has decided to stick with “Hindu” in the religion column “for the time being.”

On Wednesday, two separate meetings — one in Bengaluru and another in Hubballi — were held by the community leaders and religious heads. In both meetings ‘Lingayat Panchamasali’ nomenclature for caste column received acceptance.

In both the meetings, the call for mentioning either Lingayat, Veerashaiva or Veerashaiva Lingayat given by the Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha found a mention in the discussion. While the Bengaluru meeting was unanimous on not dwelling into the issue of religion and mentioning “Hindu” in the religion column, the Hubballi meeting saw heated discussion over the issue.

After debating on whether to mention “Lingayat” or “Hindu” in the religion column, the Hubballi meeting decided to go with “Hindu” for the time being until the issue of independent religion status for Lingayatism was sorted out. Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swami was earlier in the forefront of the Lingayat movement for independent religion status.

In Bengaluru, after holding discussions with various seers and community leaders on Wednesday, the seer of Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali Jagadguru Peetha, Harihar, announced the decision to go with “Lingayat Panchamasali” nomenclature. The seer said there was no need to mention any sub caste. He said until the issue of separate religion was decided, the community should identify itself as Hindus.

In Bengaluru meeting former minister Murugesh Nirani, Shankar Patil Munenakoppa, former MLC Mohan Limbikai and several other leaders from the Panchamasali community participated.

In the meeting held in Hubballi on Wednesday evening, Sri Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swami of Lingayat Panchamasali Peetha at Koodalasangama too stressed the need for going with ‘Lingayat Panchamasali (Code A-0868) to avoid confusion and to assert the community’s identity.