Bengaluru: After industries minister MB Patil claimed the Lingayat tradition has evolved into a distinct faith over centuries, Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra Sunday urged all communities in the ongoing socio-education survey to identify themselves as members of a larger ‘Hindu' umbrella. For the sake of the state and the nation, we must remain united," he said.Vijayendra stated the decision was taken at a party meeting and the message will be conveyed down the party line.While stating he did not want to comment on the statement of minister Patil, Vijayendra said the Congress govt was trying to create confusion among the communities.Patil had maintained that while geographically everyone in India may be considered Hindu, the Lingayat tradition, founded by 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, has evolved as a distinct faith. Just as Sikhs and Jains were recognised as separate religions after Independence, the Lingayat faith, too, has a claim," Patil argued.He clarified, however, that the current exercise is not a caste census but a socio-educational and economic survey.
Author: TNN
Published at: 2025-09-28 20:45:43
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