21 March 2018 00:50 IST

Hubballi

The ‘religious minority’ tag for Lingayats, when it comes into effect, is expected to benefit the educational institutions run by members of the community. Lingayat and Veerashaiva mutts have a dominant presence in the field of education in the State, particularly in northern and parts of southern Karnataka.

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However, most of them say it is “too premature” to ascertain the benefits these institutions would get. When The Hindu spoke to these institutions, there was a guarded response from many.

Sharanabasappa Appa, head of the Sharanabasaveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangh, said the Cabinet move would definitely help the educational institutions run by the community. “The Centre has no option but to accept the recommendation.”

The president of Tumakuru City Veerashaiva Samaja Seva Samiti, T.B. Shekar, said the status would mean “less government control” besides scholarships and benefits to students.

For Chennareddy Patil, president of the Sarvagna Education Society, Tumakuru, however, it was too early to comment, especially without getting details of government’s recommendation. Similar was the response from one of the sources at JSS Maha Vidyapeetha in Mysuru. In Hubballi, KLE Society director Shankranna Munavalli declined to make any comment on the issue “without clarity”. But a senior academician attached to the society said the decision would mean greater liberty to earmark a portion of the seats to students from the community.

At the BLDE Association in Vijayapura, where Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil is the president, the decision has brought cheers. “The religious minority status, when accorded, will help the BLDEA earmark more seats to poor students from the community,” publicity officer Mahantesh Biradar said.

However, Veeranna Charantimath, former BJP MLA and chairman of the Basaveshwara Veerashaiva Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Bagalkot, said the decision would not help the Lingayat community. “After NEET, reservation is not helping any community, including religious minority institutions. Similar will be the fate of institutions run by Lingayats,” he said.

(With inputs from Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Mysuru, and Tumakuru)