Bengaluru- The Lingayat community, led by several of its seers here, has renewed its call for a separate religious status.

The demand came at the valedictory function of 'Basava Culture Campaign-2025' organised by“Lingayat Matadeeshara Okkoota”.

Among the five resolutions adopted at the function on Sunday are raising awareness about religious recognition for Lingayats.

“All Lingayats are Indians first. Lingayat religion is the religion of Kannada. Country comes before religion. Always strive for the unity of the country with national consciousness,” said the resolution.

Noting that Lingayat religion is the greatest religion founded by Mahatma Basaveshwara and other Sharanas in the 12th century, it said,“Geographically, we are all Hindus. Continue to raise awareness for religious recognition so that Lingayats get government benefits and reservation facilities like Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.”

Claiming that Lingayat religion is the true religion of equality, brotherhood, and human values, it said,“We should all embrace the small, backward sub-castes among the Lingayats, strive for their progress, abandon all the differences between sub-castes, and develop marital relations between the sub-castes.”

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