Senior Congress leaders from Karnataka's Veerashaiva-Lingayat community convened at Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre's residence to discuss the upcoming caste census and its implications. Attendees included ministers MB Patil, Laxmi Hebbalkar, Shivanand Patil, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, Sharan Prakash Patil, Chief Minister’s Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy, Chief Whip Ashok Pattan, legislators BR Patil and Laxman Savadi, and over 34 representatives, along with Shankar Bidari of the Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha. The meeting focused on the state government’s socio-economic and educational survey, emphasizing the need to accurately confirm the Veerashaiva-Lingayat population amid confusion over community nomenclature, which risks undercounting. Leaders stressed unity across all sub-sections to protect reservation benefits and prevent divisions. The All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha resolved to hold a consultative convention on August 22 to plan future actions. Lingayat community leaders and seers have expressed dissatisfaction with the caste census report, citing discrepancies. Political figures have voiced contrasting views, with BJP’s R Ashoka accusing the Chief Minister of politicizing the census, while Minister Priyank Kharge defended it and called for public debate. (Updated 19 Aug 2025, 13:23 IST; source: link)