Bengaluru, Sept. 9 -- In a move with major social and political implications, the Akhila Bharatiya Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha, the highest representative body of the Lingayat community, has appealed to its members to identify themselves as Veerashaiva-Lingayats in the upcoming caste census in Karnataka.
The socio-economic and caste survey, set to begin on September 22, is being conducted by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government under instructions from the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
The party leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, had reportedly received several complaints alleging that the earlier caste data in Karnataka was inaccurate and failed to reflect ground realities.
Mahasabha leaders, led by state president Shankar...