Karnataka High Court Says Person Can be Lingayat by Religion and Ganiga by Caste

The Karnataka High Court dismissed a plea challenging the caste validity certificate of a Police Sub-Inspector selected under the Lingayat-Ganiga category.

The Court held that Lingayat and Ganiga identities are not mutually exclusive and that a person may be Lingayat by religious affiliation and Ganiga by caste classification.

It said caste identity must be determined based on cumulative and consistent documentary evidence, and paternal school records are not conclusive proof.

Finding no fraud and noting the officer’s long service, the Court upheld the validity of his appointment under the Other Backward Classes category.

[TN Jagadeesh v. Chairman Deputy Commissioner]