BENGALURU: The report of the experts’ panel headed by Justice H N Nagamohan Das on minority tag for Lingayats could well provide the ruling Congress major advantage in the run up to forthcoming elections to the Legislative Assembly and help split the critical support base of the BJP.
JD (S) leader Basvaraj Horatti, who has been in the forefront of the agitation for separate religion status for Lingayats, told Deccan Chronicle: “Now, the ball is in the court of the state government. The cabinet has to take a decision on whether to accept or reject the report submitted by Justice Nagamohan Das. We hope the government will take a positive decision soon in this regard”, he added
He said on the lines of reservation introduced by the Maharashtra government, where Lingayats have been accorded 2B status of reservation, the state government could take a similar decision or refer the matter to the Union government to accord minority status to Lingayats.
Justice Nagamohan Das declined to divulge the contents of the report, but stated that the panel has taken two-and-a-half months to examine all documents, heard all stakeholders who filed applications before the committee, besides perusing voluminous documents.
Sources close to members of the committee disclosed they recommended that “Lingayats cannot be considered as sub-sect of Hindus. In 12th century social reformer Basavanna started the Lingayat cult and he has considered it as separate religion. Considering the historical documents which have been thoroughly examined by eight scholars, they came to a conclusion that like Jainism and Buddhism, Lingayat can be accorded separate religion status or minority status. The government can take necessary decision in this regard.”
