Caste census report creates havoc in Karnataka, politicians oppose its release

Karnataka: The heat over the social and educational survey report of the Backward Classes Commission in the state is intensifying day by day, with the opposition taking a swipe at the ruling party Congress.

Shamanur Shivashankarappa, a senior party leader and All India Veerashaiva and Lingayat Mahasabha President lashed out at the survey report and warned of a setback in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

However, Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi expressed his displeasure against those opposing the report. Speaking to the Republic, the politician said, "I haven't seen the report yet. What if it's not right? There is an opportunity to reject it after everyone has seen it. It is not appropriate to oppose the report even before it is submitted. Many reports are not open when it comes to caste, religion and language. An estimated 40 reports remain intact. The Kantharaju report may be the 41st. Some reports have remained the same since the time of Devraj Urs. After submitting the report to the government, there are various stages. We have to see after the report is submitted. If it is not right, let there be a discussion."

Shamanur Shivashankarappa has opined that all those who went for a separate Lingayat religion were defeated. Now the original report of the caste census is missing. "Kantharaju says I have given it. Now the term of the chair of the commission has been extended. It's fun to see all this. We will also meet CM Siddaramaiah and sign like the Vokkaliga community and express our opposition. BJP and JD(S) are also opposing it," he said.

He added that if the government accepts the report, there will be 100 percent trouble in the Lok Sabha elections. The same thing will happen in the MP elections as it was done in the past on the issue of separate religions.

He told Republic, "CM wants to implement whatever we oppose, his nature is like that. We have already held talks with him, and he has asked us to wait. Let us see what he will decide on."

Demands Shivakumar's resignation

A joint meeting of the Karnataka Depressed Communities Mahasangha and the Backward Castes Federation was held at the Legislative House demanding the acceptance of the Kantharaj Committee's survey report. In December, there was a discussion about holding the Ahinda conference.

"The Deputy CM is opposing the Kantharaju Commission report. He is playing as if he is the deputy chief minister of his race. He should be asked whose deputy chief minister he is," said Ramachandrappa, President of the Backward Classes Federation told Republic.

He added that the backward classes federation opined that the Deputy CM had taken an oath that he would not do nepotism, not to do caste-based politics. What morality he would continue in the post of deputy they questioned and demanded his immediate resignation.

Ramchandrappa continued, "Shamanur Shivashankarappa says that the number of Lingayats has been reduced in the report, adding that Lingayats are identified as sub-castes and are getting different benefits. Can we be held responsible for that? Why don't they know this?"

Accept caste census report as it is

While few politicians oppose the report, the former Chairman of Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, H.Kanthraj, opined that the state government should accept the report which contains the social and educational aspects prepared after conducting a survey within the legal framework.

The current chair of the commission, K Jayaprakash Hegde, said that the report should be submitted to the government. It should not be re-examined for any reason. There is no loophole in the report. As per the law, the final report does not require the signature of the member secretary of members of backward classes.

The report, which was conducted as a door-to-door survey with 55 questionnaires, is scientific. The government should accept the report without any delay. The report should be examined and studied after it is released by the government, said a few Congress leaders.

Even so, Siddaramaiah reiterated that his government would accept the caste census and would give justice to marginalized communities. A picture surfaced online an hour later of a memorandum by Vokkaliga Sangha opposing any such move appeared with the signature of Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar endorsing the demand. The memorandum with the signatures of several former Chief Ministers has been submitted to his office. The backward class commission is likely to submit its report to the government this month.

Why is the caste census report being opposed by a part of the Congress

The caste census survey has not been done properly. The original copy of the report is missing. There are a lot of loopholes.

The opposition is on the ground said that there is a lapse in the manner in which the report has been prepared. Let the information be collected scientifically. What is in the report has been leaked.

The report has never mentioned that Lingayats are Veerashaivas. It has been shown that the population of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community is low. This will result in severe losses to society.