Caste Census Report Implementation May Spark Confusion in Karnataka: Union Minister Somanna
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Synopsis
Union Minister V. Somanna expressed concerns that implementing the controversial caste census report could create significant confusion within Karnataka. He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's motives and called for a fresh survey to ensure accurate data collection.
Key Takeaways
- Union Minister Somanna warns of potential confusion.
- Criticism directed at CM Siddaramaiah's motives.
- Somanna requests a new survey for accurate data.
- Opposition parties oppose the caste census report.
- Caste census report estimates OBC population significantly.
Bengaluru, April 13 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, asserted on Sunday that the execution of the controversial caste census report could potentially lead to considerable confusion in Karnataka.
While addressing the media in Bengaluru, Union Minister Somanna criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the caste census report.
Somanna accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of advocating for the report's implementation solely to maintain his grip on power. “It pains me to see CM Siddaramaiah stoop to this level. Should he proceed with the implementation of the caste census report, he will be remembered as a villain in history,” he remarked.
“This caste census report seems to be a fabricated drama. BJP leaders will convene to collectively determine the future course of action regarding this issue,” he added.
He further asserted that a significant number, around 50 to 60 percent, of Congress leaders themselves consider the caste census report to be inaccurate. “The survey was not conducted effectively to gather dependable data, and the report lacks integrity,” Somanna expressed.
He highlighted that the Chief Minister could have executed the report much earlier. “Even though CM Siddaramaiah is aware of the report's flaws, he continues to push for its implementation. It will generate confusion throughout the state,” he reiterated.
“I urge CM Siddaramaiah to initiate a new survey. He can appoint whoever he wishes and complete it within a year and a half. He still has three years remaining in his tenure,” Somanna demanded.
“I caution CM Siddaramaiah that enforcing this report could be a death sentence for his political career. His own associates have plotted against him,” Somanna alleged.
He also emphasized that there is no distinction between upper and lower classes in society and cautioned against inciting one community against another.
Somanna concluded by stating that CM Siddaramaiah is well aware of the population of all communities. “Having worked with him as a minister for many years, I pity his current predicament. Recently, he was summoned by the party leadership and received directives in New Delhi,” Somanna said.
Back in 2014, Siddaramaiah (during his first term as Chief Minister) mandated the Karnataka Socio-Economic and Educational Census.
A committee led by the then Backward Classes Commission Chief, H. Kantharaju, conducted the survey at an expense of about ₹169 crore. Although the report was finalized by 2016, it was subsequently shelved by succeeding administrations.
The Congress and JD-S coalition government under H.D. Kumaraswamy and the BJP government led by B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai also kept the report in abeyance.
In 2020, the Karnataka government, led by the BJP, appointed Jayaprakash Hegde as the Commission chief, yet the report was not disclosed to the public. Hegde delivered the final report to the Siddaramaiah government on February 29, 2024.
Opposition parties, including the BJP and JD-S, have contested the enforcement of the report. Communities such as the Lingayats and Vokkaligas have claimed that the report has been unjust towards them in terms of their population representation.
The contentious caste census report submitted by the Backward Classes Commission to the Congress-led government in Karnataka has estimated the Muslim population in the state at 18.08 percent and suggested an 8 percent reservation for the community, sources confirmed on Sunday.
At present, Muslims receive a 4 percent reservation in the state.
The caste census report was presented to the state cabinet on Friday (April 10), and the state government is organizing a special cabinet meeting on April 17 to deliberate on the report’s recommendations. However, no official communication has been made regarding the report’s contents. Nevertheless, details from the cabinet meeting have emerged in the public sphere.
Moreover, sources confirmed that the caste census report recommends raising the total reservation to over 75 percent in Karnataka. The survey estimates the population of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) at 4.18 crore, Scheduled Castes (SCs) at 1.09 crore, and Scheduled Tribes (STs) at 42.81 lakh.
According to sources, the report suggests that OBC groups comprise about 70 percent of the state’s population.
The Vokkaliga community is currently regarded as the second-largest population group in the state, with a recorded population of 61.68 lakh. The census report documents the Lingayat community population at 66.35 lakh, which constitutes 11.09 percent.
The Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities have historically dominated the political landscape in the state. Both communities have expressed skepticism about the report and labeled it as flawed.
Union Minister of State Somanna identifies with the Lingayat community.
