Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivakumar. (File photo/PTI)
Hours after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated that his government would accept the caste census and give justice to marginalized communities, a memorandum by Vokkaliga Sangha opposing any such move signed by DCM DK Shivakumar endorsing the demand appeared
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has promised a caste census in poll-bound states and across the nation if the party comes to power in 2024. However, the party’s six-month-old government in Karnataka seems to be split over the issue.
Hours after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated that his government would accept the caste census and give justice to marginalized communities, a memorandum by Vokkaliga Sangha opposing any such move signed by DCM DK Shivakumar endorsing the demand appeared. The memorandum with signatures of several former Chief Ministers has been submitted to the CM office.
“I fully agree with our leader Rahul Gandhi’s stand. I feel that the country’s independence will be meaningful only when the caste census is conducted across the country and based on its report, “equal share for all – equal rights for all”. Accepting the report of the Economic, Social and Educational Survey conducted by our previous government, I am unwavering in my resolve to do justice to the disenfranchised communities,” CM Siddaramaiah said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
The dominant Vokkaliga community has called the report unscientific and demanded the government take the opinion of the community leaders before releasing it.
Earlier in the month, prominent Vokkaliga seers opposed the government’s intention to accept the report. “Such unscientific surveys are a serious blow to our community,” said Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji.
The Backward Class Commission is likely to submit its report to the government this month.
DCM DK Shivakumar defended signing the memorandum arguing that he wasn’t against the caste census but it is echoing sentiments that the survey hasn’t been carried out extensively.
“What’s wrong in signing? Everyone wants to protect their community’s interest,” said Shivakumar.
“Schedule Tribe, Panchamasali, Veerashaiva and Vokkaligas, SC left are striving to save their community Interests irrespective of their party. Same way Vokkaligas are doing it and what’s wrong with it? Many ministers along with me attended the Vokkaliga meeting. Whatever the politics, everyone will think of saving the respect and dignity of their community,” Shivakumar added.
In 2015, Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had commissioned the social-economic and educational survey, at an estimated cost of Rs 170 crore in the state.
Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes chairperson K Jayaprakash said that he would submit the caste census report to the state government by this month’s end. The Chief Minister has promised to accept it.
