Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s fortnight-long socio-economic caste survey has triggered a major divide within the powerful Lingayat community over whether to register themselves as Hindus or as a separate religious category.

Religious leaders and political representatives are sharply split. The Federation of Lingayat Mutt Seers and the Global Lingayat Mahasabha have called for registering religion as ‘Others’ while marking the caste as Lingayat, whereas seers from the Panchamashali sect have urged community members to register themselves as Hindus and list their caste as Lingayat.

Social organizations such as Veerashaiva Mahasabha and Raddi Lingayat associations have echoed the call for registering under ‘Others’ in the religion column, while Panchamashali Lingayat associations are advocating for Hindu registration.

The divide is mirrored politically, with BJP leaders including former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa and State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra pushing for Lingayats to register as Hindus, while Congress leaders are encouraging them to register under ‘Others’ — a move that could bolster Congress’s minority outreach efforts.

Lingayats, Karnataka’s largest and most influential community, have long been demanding separate religious status, claiming that many within the community are denied government benefits despite economic hardships. Analysts say that if Lingayats gain minority status, it could hurt the BJP politically and benefit Congress.

Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil accused BJP leaders of “pleasing their political bosses” at the cost of Lingayat interests, pointing out that they had not objected to Veerashaiva Mahasabha’s resolution during the seers’ meeting. Vijayendra defended his position, stating that the decision was not politically motivated and that seers of the mutts were still deliberating.

Former BJP Minister Murugesh Nirani dismissed the survey as an attempt by Siddaramaiah to divide the Lingayat community, urging members to register as Hindus. Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti criticized the survey, calling it a “blow to social harmony” and warning that such exercises could harm the state’s future.

The rift among Lingayats has deepened political fault lines in Karnataka, with both Congress and BJP seeking to sway the influential community ahead of upcoming electoral battles.