The renewed push for recognising Veerashaiva-Lingayat as a separate religion requires consensus between Congress and BJP

By Nayakara Veeresha

On 25 September 2025, a Karnataka High Court bench declined a petition seeking intervention in the Socio-Economic Survey conducted across the State. The petitioners had argued that the survey violated Article 21 of the Constitution. Even as the State government proceeded with the household survey, several gatherings and processions were held across Karnataka, especially in the Kalyana Karnataka region, demanding separate religious status for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.

The community, much like Jain, Buddhist or Sikh groups, seeks a different identity separate from the Hindu religion. At present, Veerashaiva-Lingayats are listed within the

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