‘Hindu’ is not a religion and has no official recognition: Head of the Bengaluru Dharmapeeth in Karnataka

• Statement by Janbasavanand Swami, Head of the Bengaluru Dharmapeeth of the Lingayat community

• Appeals Lingayat community members to register only as ‘Lingayat’ in the Census

• Strong objection raised by Mahant Sudhirdas, Priest of Shri Kalaram Temple in Nashik

Janbasavananda Swami, the head of the religious seat in Bengaluru, Karnataka

Solapur (Maharashtra) – Janbasavanand Swami, head of the Bengaluru Dharmapeeth of the Lingayat community in Karnataka, stated that Hindu is not a religion and does not have official recognition in India; therefore, during the ongoing census, Lingayat community members should mention only “Lingayat” in the religion column. Mahant Sudhirdas, priest of Shri Kalaram Temple in Nashik, strongly objected to this statement. He said, “Hindu is not merely a religion, but a national and cultural identity. Along with Sanatan Vedic culture, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs all fall within this broad definition. All those whose fatherland and holy land are India are Hindus.”

Points raised by Janbasavanand Swami

1. At present in India, the Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities officially have separate religious recognition.

2. During British rule, the ‘Lingayat community’ had separate religious recognition. After Independence, this recognition ceased.

3. The upcoming census should be used to secure public and legal recognition for the ‘Lingayat religion’.

4. For this purpose, a ‘Grand Lingayat Dharma Awareness Yatra’ will be organised from Mangalwedha in Solapur directly to Mumbai from 2 June 2026.

India’s religious unity will be endangered: Mahant Sudhirdas

Mahant Sudhirdas

The Lingayat community worships through Hindu Dharma and Sanatan thought itself. If every sect begins demanding a separate religion in this manner, then India’s religious unity will be endangered. Divisions will arise within society.

Mahant Sudhirdas appealed to Janbasavanand Swami to “properly understand the definition of Hindu Dharma and withdraw his statement”.

Editorial Perspective

• Do other heads of Lingayat monasteries agree with this? Will they oppose this statement? Will people from the Lingayat community oppose it? Such questions arise!
• Hindu Dharma itself is India’s identity. All ancient religious scriptures glorify Sanatan Hindu Dharma. In such a situation, will statements of this kind by religious leaders not create divisions among Hindus?