From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 1: Even as the Lingayat community is divided over the demand for separate religion status so as to avail the benefit of being a religious minority instead remaining as part of the larger Hindu religion with a vocal section backed by some of the community’s religious leaders, including Mathe Mahadevi, the ruling Congress party is yet to take an official stand on the issue.

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President made it clear that the party has not discussed or taken an official position on the issue, in which some of the ministers belonging to the community have been quite vocal.

The matter is likely to be discussed at an executive committee meeting of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

KPCC President Dr G Parameshwara, who returned to the State after his foreign trip, said there was no clarity among the seers of the Lingayat Maths on the demand for separate religious tag to the Lingayat community.

"The issue is very sensitive. There were both pro and against for the separate tag for the religion. We will discuss the issue, if required at the KPCC executive committee meeting," he said.

The Congress convention scheduled to be held in Raichur on August 4 has been postponed to August 12 owing to the death of former Chief Minister N Dharam Singh, he said.

AICC Vice-president Rahul Gandhi would attend the programme, he said.