Veerashaiva Mahasabha Opposes Karnataka Caste Census; Congress and BJP Leaders Unhappy

Bengaluru: The Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha is demanding a fresh survey, rejecting the current caste census report. President Shamanur Shivashankarappa led the meeting, where ministers Ishwar Khandre, Shivanand Patil, and MB Patil, among others, submitted a memorandum to CM Siddaramaiah at Suvarna Soudha. Complaints arose during the Mahasabha's community meeting, stating surveyors had not visited many areas.

The plea highlights concerns that sub-sects, not Lingayats or Veerashaivas, were documented, leading to potential inaccuracies. Veerashaiva Mahasabha insists on a scientifically conducted survey, emphasizing the lapse of eight years since the last census.

Signatories to the memorandum

Ministers Ishwar Khandre, Shivanand Patil and M.B. Patil, MLAs Dr. Shamanur Shivashankarappa, B.Y. Vijayendra, M.Y. Patil, Ashok Pattan, Lakshman Savadi, Basavaraj Rayareddy, C.C. Patil, G.S. Patil, K. Shadakshari, Yeshwantrayagowda Patil, D.G. Shantanagouda, B.K. Sangameshwara, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, Aravind Bellad, Baba Saheb D. Patil, Siddu Savadi, Vijayananda Kashappanavar, C.S. Nadagouda, Ashok M. Managooli, Channareddy Patil Tunnuru, Mahantesh Tenginkai, Allamaprabhu Patil, Siddalingappa Nagabhushana Patil, Vinay Kulkarni, Dr. Shailendra Beldale, M Ganesh Prasad.

Majority of signatories also include Congress leaders who have openly expressed their displeasure against their own government. Two prominent ministers Eshwar Khandre and MB Patil hail from the same community and they have said that there's hope but the president of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha differs on the same and Dr Shamanur Shivashankarappa who is also a Congress legislator speaking to Republic said that "The survey has not been conducted in a scientific manner and we are unhappy that our views and opinions are not being taken into consideration. Door to door survey was to be held but until now that has not been the case, they have done a sample survey and the sample numbers aren't being disclosed either. This survey will cause harm to many communities. We have met the CM who has assured us that he will look into it but that has been the case so far even in previous meetings."

BJP Lingayat legislators miffed, allege CM targeting dominant communities

Meanwhile the BJP legislators especially the Lingayats are unhappy with the entire issue. BJP is of the opinion that the chief minister is targeting the Lingayats and Vokkaligas because neither is the government giving in to the 2A reservation for the Lingayats nor are they going ahead with a resurvey.

Mahesh Tenginkai BJP legislator from the Hubballi-Dharwad central assembly constituency speaking to Republic said that "the CM is involved in appearing certain sections of communities through his appeasement politics. All the Lingayats are united cutting across party lines because we also want justice for the community. Cabinet ministers of Siddaramaiah government are unhappy with the decision taken by government. If this report is implemented there will be a huge protest. Some of the documents are even missing and it's a half cooked report."