Lingayatism: All you need to know

The issue of Ligayatism has come to occupy the centre stage, after the Siddaramaiah led Congress government in Karnataka had declared the Lingayats to be a religious minority. The move assumes special significance as the state is on verge of voting for its new government.

What is Lingayatism?
Lingayatism is a religious tradition which traces its origin to a 12th century poet-philosopher Basaveshwara, or Basavanna, who broke away from the confines of the Hindu caste system and its rituals, and conceived of a society where all people were considered equal, all skills and professions were similarly valued, and sincerity was enough to gain the love of God. His revolutionary ideas, particularly that all castes and genders were equal, created a Utopia of sorts for some time in Karnataka’s north-eastern region, ruled by king Bijjala of the Kalachuri dynasty. Basavanna died trying to protect his ideals, while his followers, who called themselves Lingayats as they wear the Shiva Linga as a representation of the soul on their bodies, ended up as a caste with 99 sub-groups.


What are the implications of this move?
The BJP has alleged that the move, coming as it did just ahead of the May 12 assembly polls, was aimed at “viciously” dividing the Lingayat community – to which the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa belongs – and split the Veerashaivas away from it. It also accused Siddaramaiah and the Congress of trying to divide the Hindus. Such statements appear to be finding traction, but several Lingayat pontiffs have supported Siddaramaiah and said their followers will vote for the Congress this time.

Who are Veerashaivas?
Veerashaivas, the uppermost sub-caste among the Lingayats, claim that Basavanna himself got Linga deeksha or anointment with the linga, from one of their five gurus, called Panchacharyas. They say that Basavanna only took forward an existing line of Veerashaiva and Shaivism thought and did not actually create a new religion. As per the order of the Siddaramaiah government, people who don’t consider Basavanna as the founder of the religion are left out of the minority status. Veerashaivas account for an estimated 10 per cent of the approximately 85 lakh Lingayat population in Karnataka. However, they wield influence far beyond this proportion, as they are considered the gurus among Lingayats.

Why do they want a Separate creed?
Some say it is a question of identity and pride, along with a distaste for Hindu rituals that many sub-sects still follow, while others say it is just an attempt to gain minority status and exemptions from certain government rules in the large number of educational institutions run by the community.