Veerashaiva-Lingayats
05.05.2025
Veerashaiva-Lingayats
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For Prelims: About Veerashaiva-Lingayats |
Why in the news?
Veerashaiva-Lingayats are set to seek a separate religion code for the community in the national census that will commence in 2026.
About Veerashaiva-Lingayats:
- Lingayats had been classified as a Hindu subcaste called “Veerashaiva Lingayats” and they are considered to be Shaivites.
- The Veerashaiva-Lingayats are the dominant land-owning community in north and central Karnataka.
- They are also spread in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
- Origin: The Lingayats are followers of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, who was inspired by the Bhakti Movement.
- A treasurer in the court of King Bijjala II, Basavanna rejected Brahmin rituals and temple worship and envisaged a society that was casteless, and free of discrimination.
- Spiritual Identity: The term Lingayat comes from the practice of wearing an iṣṭaliṅga, an oval-shaped emblem symbolic of Parashiva (Absolute Reality).
Source: The Hindu
Consider the following regarding to the Veerashaiva-Lingayats:
1.The Veerashaiva-Lingayats are the dominant land-owning community in the north and central Gujarat.
2.The Lingayats are followers of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Answer B