Karnataka. Lingayats have been estimated to be about 16% of Karnataka's population and about 6-7% of Maharashtra's population. Significant populations are also found in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana bordering Karnataka, as well as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat and Sri Lanka. The Lingayat diaspora can be found in countries around the world, particularly the United States, Britain and Australia. Reservation status Today, the Lingayat community is a blend of various castes, consisting of Forward Castes, OBC and SC. Currently, 16 castes of Lingayats have been accorded the OBC status by the Central Government. According to one of the estimates by a Lingayat politician around 7 per cent of people in Lingayat community come under SC and STs. Veerashaiva Lingayats get OBC reservation at state level in both Karnataka and Telangana. See also Lingam Jangam List of Lingayats Notes References Sources Printed sources Web-sources External links The Lingayats, N.C. Sargant (1963), University of Florida Archives Lingayats as a Sect, William McCormack (1963) Lingayat Religion Anti-caste movements Karnataka society Social groups of Karnataka Bhakti-era Hindu sects Indian religions Monotheistic religions Hinduism in South India Shaiva sects