Bengaluru's political and community circles are abuzz as Eshwar Khandre, the state's Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, has positioned himself as the strongest candidate to assume the national presidency of the influential Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha. The prestigious post was left vacant following the demise of veteran leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa last month.
The Succession Process and Khandre's Legacy
The Mahasabha's working committee is scheduled to meet on January 19 or 20 to formally elect the new president. This leadership role carries immense political weight as it represents the helm of the dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, which constitutes an estimated 18% of Karnataka's 6.5 crore population. They are the state's second-largest social group after Dalits.
Khandre's candidacy is bolstered by a deep-rooted family legacy within the organization. His father, Bheemanna Khandre, served as the Mahasabha's president for many years. Currently holding the positions of Senior Vice-President and In-charge President, Eshwar Khandre was reportedly groomed for this role by Shivashankarappa himself, who had him appointed as senior vice-president. If elected, Khandre will serve the remaining 3.5 years of the term.
"As president in-charge and senior vice-president, I am mandated to convene a meeting of the working committee to decide on the new president. The process will be completed by the end of this month," Khandre stated.
Navigating a Community at a Crossroads
The new president will take charge at a critical juncture for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, which is grappling with internal debates that challenge its unity. A significant movement, spearheaded by progressive representatives, seeks a separate religion status for Lingayats based on the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna. This has sparked a complex ideological discussion.
While groups like the Jagathik Lingayat Mahasabha argue that Lingayats are distinct from Veerashaivas, the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha maintains that any separate religion tag must encompass both Veerashaivas and Lingayats. GB Patil, national general secretary of the Jagathik Lingayat Mahasabha, emphasized the need for the new leader to unite members around the "truth" of Basavanna's principles being distinct from ritualistic Hindu practices.
Furthermore, the community faces the challenge of inconsistent self-identification in surveys—with members registering as Hindu, Veerashaiva, Lingayat, or Veerashaiva-Lingayat—which likely leads to an under-reporting of its actual population. Simultaneously, the Panchamasali sub-sect has revived its demand for inclusion in the 2A category of OBC reservations, adding another layer of complexity.
Political Implications and the Road Ahead
The leadership change occurs as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to reclaim its eroded support base within the Lingayat community. In this politically charged environment, Eshwar Khandre, a Congress leader, will have the delicate task of steering the apolitical Mahasabha while countering these political maneuvers.
Addressing the multifaceted challenges, Khandre affirmed, "We are mindful of these issues. The Mahasabha will continue to be the vanguard of the community as it intends to take all sections together." His immediate priority will be to foster dialogue and consensus between the Veerashaiva and Lingayat factions on the sensitive issue of religious identity, while also addressing the Panchamasali reservation demand, ensuring the community's cohesion remains intact.
