In a move widely viewed as an effort to strengthen ties with Karnataka’s influential Lingayat community, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he would recommend renaming Bengaluru’s Namma Metro as ‘Basava Metro’. This would be in honour of the 12th-century social reformer Basavanna.
The Chief Minister made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the Basava Culture Campaign-2025. The event was held to commemorate Basavanna’s recognition as Karnataka’s cultural leader and was attended by several Lingayat seers and pontiffs.
“On the day I took oath as Chief Minister, which was also Basava Jayanti, I resolved to realise Basavanna’s vision of equal opportunity for all,” Siddaramaiah said. He added that his government’s welfare guarantees aim to uplift the poor across all castes and religions.
“If this were entirely a state project, I would have named it ‘Basava Metro’ today itself,” he added. Furthermore, he urged the Union government to consider the renaming proposal.
Renewed outreach to the Lingayat Community
The Congress government in Karnataka has been stepping up its outreach to the Lingayat community. This community forms a major vote base in northern Karnataka and has traditionally supported the BJP.
In January 2024, the Cabinet declared Basavanna as Karnataka’s cultural leader, similar to how Maharashtra honours Chhatrapati Shivaji. This decision fulfilled a long-pending demand of prominent Lingayat pontiffs.
Later, in February 2024, Siddaramaiah directed all government offices across the State to display Basavanna’s portrait. He said the 12th-century philosopher’s teachings on equality and tolerance remain timeless. “Basava’s principles are eternal and relevant — not just in the past or today, but forever,” he said at Sunday’s event.
Industry Minister MB Patil, himself a Lingayat leader, urged the community to support Siddaramaiah. He asserted the Chief Minister had done more for the community’s development than anyone else.
Demand for separate religion resurfaces
While the event underscored the Congress’s renewed engagement with the Lingayat community, it also revived an old demand — recognition of Lingayats as a separate religion.
During the programme, the Lingayat Matadeeshara Okkoota passed five resolutions. One resolution sought independent religious status for the Lingayat faith founded by Basaveshwara and his contemporaries in the 12th century. The resolution stated that Lingayats should be granted recognition and benefits similar to those given to Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.
The renewed demand comes as the state conducts a socio-economic and educational survey. Community leaders are divided over whether to register as Lingayats or Veerashaiva-Lingayats. The split reflects a long-standing identity dispute within the community.
In 2018, Siddaramaiah’s earlier government had recognised Lingayats as a minority religion — a move that was later blamed for alienating sections of voters and contributing to the Congress’s electoral defeat.
Political implications
The Chief Minister’s latest remarks add to the ongoing debate around naming public infrastructure and community representation. Political observers view the ‘Basava Metro’ proposal as a symbolic gesture. It aims to reinforce the Congress’s commitment to social justice and Basavanna’s ideals, while also appealing to one of Karnataka’s most politically powerful communities.
