Bengaluru: The issue of a separate religion tag for the Lingayat community is not likely to reach a conclusion before the Karnataka Assembly elections, with the seven-member expert committee set up by the State Government to study the issue having sought six months to submit its report. The committee has also made it clear that it will not submit an interim report.

The committee that met for the first time yesterday unanimously resolved to seek six months time though the State Government had asked it to submit its report within a month. If it was done in a month, the Government would have been able to make a recommendation to the Centre, based on it.

“Given the seriousness and importance of the subject, one month is not enough. We have a great responsibility and we want to fulfil it in a scientific manner taking into consideration even the legal aspects. Hence, the committee has decided to seek six months time to submit the report,” said H.N. Nagamohan Das, former Karnataka High Court Judge, who heads the committee.

Speaking to reporters after the committee’s meeting, Das said it was also decided to seek the inclusion of a woman member in the committee. “The last date to submit representations to the committee is Jan.25. We have received 36 representations so far from individuals, mutts and like-minded organisations. We will study all of them in detail, giving each one equal importance. We will also receive oral representations and the date will be finalised in the next meeting,” he said.