Bengaluru, Sept. 8 -- The Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha has urged members of the community to enter only 'Veerashaiva-Lingayat' in the religion column of the upcoming Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (Caste Census), instead of writing 'Hindu.' The survey will be conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes from Sept. 22 to Oct. 7.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru yesterday, Eshwar Khandre, General Secretary of the Mahasabha and Karnataka Forest Minister, stressed that community members must carefully specify their religion as Veerashaiva-Lingayat.

"Asserting that Veerashaiva-Lingayat Dharma has no connection with Hindu Sanatana Dharma, Khandre urged all members to avoid mentioning Hindu...