Veerashaiva followers clashed with members of the electorally influential Lingayat community Monday in Kalaburagi in northern Karnataka, as Chief Minister Siddaramiah's government prepares to recommend religious status for Lingayats to the Narendra Modi government.

Lingayat supporters beat up one MS Patil, a Veerashaiva follower. Police intervened and dispersed the crowd.

Four people have been taken into custody.

The Veerashaivas* had come to the Sardar Patel circle to protest against the state government's decision, which excludes them. The Veerashaivas don't accept that they are different from Lingayats.

They also claim a report (submitted by the Justice Nagmohan Das committee) which recommends a separate Lingayat religion is biased.

* NOTE: The Karnataka government says Veerashaivas who believe in the social reformer Basava's philosophy, will be considered Lingayats

'POLITICALLY-MOTIVATED DECISION'

Chandrashekhar Hiremath, the president of the Veerashaiva Lingayat Samanvaya Samiti, told ANI the Siddaramiah Cabinet's decision was a "purely politically motivated decision." In the past, the BJP and several sections of the Hindu community accused Siddaramaiah's government of dividing society to draw political mileage ahead of assembly elections scheduled for April-May.

Today, the Karnataka BJP did not mince words while condemning the Cabinet's decision.

"If there is an Oscar for hypocrisy it must go to Rahul Gandhi. He waxed eloquent yesterday on unity, love and fraternity between all," the party said. "Today, his virulent CM Siddaramaiah recommended dividing followers of Basavanna into separate 'minority religion' - something unheard of in the past."

Meanwhile, the Congress has said it is "inappropriate" to link the move with the upcoming polls.

Exclusive: Karnataka CM on Cauvery verdict, farmer suicides, elections and more