Karnataka minister Vinay Kulkarni (third from right) and some members of the Lingayat community celebrate the cabinet decision, in Bengaluru on Monday. Photo: PTIBengaluru: After months of uncertainty, Karnataka’s Congress government on Monday decided to accept the recommendations of an official expert committee to grant recognition and religious minority status to Lingayats and Veershaiva Lingayats—two sub-sects that will be considered under the same religious minority status. It added that the cabinet decision was intended to divide the society and destroy the basic of Basava philosophy that promotes a casteless and egalitarian society. “The cabinet, having accepted, has decided to accord the recognition as a religious minority. Meanwhile, a group of people clashed in Kalaburagi district when Lingayats were celebrating the cabinet decision.

Source: Mint March 19, 2018 18:11 UTC