Lingayatism is not a caste, its a offset of religion within Hinduism. It meant for conversion. Basavanna, the twelfth century social reformer, strived to rid the Indian caste system. during the time many of vokkaligas, dalits, other obc..etc converted to Lingayatism in north karnataka. so lingayats constitutes of all caste and creed. Southern vokkaligas (people of Gangavadi/Old Mysore) refuse to accept lingayatism because of obsessive pride and identity. Present Karnataka population consist of highest 17 % of lingayats. second 16 % vokkaligas. In Lingayats, more than half of the people are vokkaligas. Patils, Goudas of north Karnataka are vokkaligas.