Bengaluru: The debate on separate religion tag for Lingayat or Lingayat/Veerashaiva is a closed chapter for the time being, according to Minister for Medical Education Sharan Prakash Patil.

Speaking to media persons, Patil said an expert committee would be constituted to decide on the matter. “Leaders of both Lingayat and Veerashaiva communities have decided to set up the committee in order to find an amicable solution,’’ Patil said.

There have been differences among religious leaders and politicians on the matter, and politicians on the matter, with the split largely over the choice of nomenclature – Lingayat or Lingayat Veerashaiva.

On Friday evening, Minister for Water Resources M.B. Patil, who has been advocating religion status as Lingayat, said a settlement would be reached after discussions between the two groups.