An Independent Religion
The important traditional custom that establishes unique and
independent. identification of Lingayatism is its burial custom. In
traditional Hinduism, mostly the dead bodies of dwijas are usually
burnt where as in Lingayat religion dead bodies are buried. Burial
yards of Lingayats are seperate from traditional Hindu burial yards.
Since 12th century burrying of dead bodies in seperate burial yard is
in vogue in Lingayat community.
Thus, Lingayats, followers of Lingayat religion differ totally from traditional Hindus in every aspect-in beliefs, practices, rites-rituals, customs, culture etc. In view of the above, Lingayat religion is eligible to be recognised as an independent religion. We are very proud to say that Lingayatism founded by Lord Basavanna contributes a lot to the rich heritage of our Motherland, India and to human kind as well in general.
Our Constitution has recognised the independent existence of Indian-religious groups like Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs who are respectively the followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and non-Indian religious groups like Christians, Muslims, Jews, Parsees following Christianity & Islam, Jewish, Parsee religions respectively and you have given instructions that the following abbreviations can be used to record following religions :
- Temples are religious places to Hindus. Deities installed therein are objects of worship for Hindus and there is a middle person called the priest . Lingayatism opposes both temple-craft and priest-craft which encourage casteism. untouchability, superstition etc. Lord Basavanna built an institution called Anubhava Mantapa as a model which embraced all people alike and preached Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Humanity beings
- All Hindus are not vegetarians where as Lingayatism preaches and practises strict vegetarianism and avoids killing of animals for the sake of food.
Thus, Lingayats, followers of Lingayat religion differ totally from traditional Hindus in every aspect-in beliefs, practices, rites-rituals, customs, culture etc. In view of the above, Lingayat religion is eligible to be recognised as an independent religion. We are very proud to say that Lingayatism founded by Lord Basavanna contributes a lot to the rich heritage of our Motherland, India and to human kind as well in general.
Our Constitution has recognised the independent existence of Indian-religious groups like Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs who are respectively the followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and non-Indian religious groups like Christians, Muslims, Jews, Parsees following Christianity & Islam, Jewish, Parsee religions respectively and you have given instructions that the following abbreviations can be used to record following religions :
| H for Hindus |
M for Muslims |
| C for
Christians |
S for Sikhs |
| B for
Buddhists |
J for Jains |
(Introductory
Note, page XI, Census of India
1991, Series 1, Part IV-B (ii) Religion (Table c-9)
Publisher : Dr. M. Vijayanunni, of the Indian Administrative service Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India)
You have been instructed, " For others, record the actual religion as returned full and not to mistake religion for caste which will not be recorded there."
Publisher : Dr. M. Vijayanunni, of the Indian Administrative service Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India)
You have been instructed, " For others, record the actual religion as returned full and not to mistake religion for caste which will not be recorded there."
On
similar basis, Lingayats are also to be
recognised and identified.
So we request you to observe and realise the uniqueness of Lingayat
Religion and issue clear instructions to the concerned officers to
inform and train up enumerators to record Lingayats as a seperate
religious group and not to consider them as a caste or a sect in
Hinduism. If you do not mention in your circulars about Lingayats
following Lingayat religion-a non-Hindu religion, enumerators will not
record Lingayats seperately but will include under Hindu fold, which is
really meaningless and illogical.
We clearly know that name of any religion or community is not mentioned in Census form except S.C/S.T and our constitution has provided full freedom to record ones own religion ; No doubt necessary provision has been made to record even the names of such of the religious sects not indicated in the circular but unless the word Lingayat is clearly mentioned enumerators for want of adequate knowledge may either refuse to record the statement given by the individuals or write it as Hindu-Lingayat thinking that Hinduism is a religion and Lingayatism is a caste, which is completely wrong. Such mistakes have crept in during the previous census of 1991 thereby resulting in abnormal variations in census figures. We sincerely request you to instruct emumerators to record in column No.8, Religion, either fully as Lingayat or by abbreviation L, when an individual says himself as Lingayat i.e. follower of Lingayat Religion.
We clearly know that name of any religion or community is not mentioned in Census form except S.C/S.T and our constitution has provided full freedom to record ones own religion ; No doubt necessary provision has been made to record even the names of such of the religious sects not indicated in the circular but unless the word Lingayat is clearly mentioned enumerators for want of adequate knowledge may either refuse to record the statement given by the individuals or write it as Hindu-Lingayat thinking that Hinduism is a religion and Lingayatism is a caste, which is completely wrong. Such mistakes have crept in during the previous census of 1991 thereby resulting in abnormal variations in census figures. We sincerely request you to instruct emumerators to record in column No.8, Religion, either fully as Lingayat or by abbreviation L, when an individual says himself as Lingayat i.e. follower of Lingayat Religion.
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