For the Lingayats to be recognised as a separate religious minority, the Centre has to notify the state's decision under the Central Minority Commission Act to complete the process. The state cabinet's move followed the recommendations of a seven-member expert committee the Karnataka State Minorities Commission had set up. Patil - a Lingayat - said Monday's recommendation to the Centre was a "historic" decision and a major victory for the community. "This is just vote-bank politics to get the support of the Lingayat community. The seer has always maintained that Veerashaiva is a philosophical description of Lingayats, insisting that it was actually "Veerashaiva Lingayat Dharma" that comprised both groups.

Source: The Telegraph March 19, 2018 21:22 UTC