Lingayat leaders will discuss religion tag issue: Dr HC Mahadevappa

Mysuru: Since a fresh request to accord separate religion status for Veerashaiva Lingayats was submitted to the state government, several leaders have been asked to meet and discuss about it, Public Works Minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa told reporters here on Monday. Asked about the proposal for recognition of Lingayat community as a separate religion was rejected by the Manmohan Singh government, Dr Mahadevappa said, “Since there is a fresh proposal, we are still in the process of considering it. We need to look into provisions of the Constitution in this regard.”

June 14: At a programme organised by the Akhila Bharata Veerashiva Mahasabha to felicitate him for the decision to install the portraits of Lingayat icon Basaveshwara in government offices, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is requested by the Mahasabha to recommend separate religion status for Veerashaiva Lingayats to the Central government.
June 14: While accepting the petition, CM Siddaramaiah said he would recommend the status to the Centre as he personally felt Lingayats need a seperate religion tag
July 19: Mate Mahadevi leads a rally at Bidar demanding separate religion status
July 24: Higher education minister, Basavaraj Rayareddy announces a five member ministerial team that will tour and evolve a consensus on the religion status issue
July 26: CM Siddaramaiah said he would recommend separate religion status only if all the groups in the Lingayat community came
together