Is the Caste Census Survey Feasible Within 15 Days?

Bengaluru, Sept 20 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Saturday, urged the Congress-led state government to reconsider the 15-day deadline established for the socio-economic and academic survey, widely referred to as the caste census.

The survey is set to commence across Karnataka on September 22.

The leaders addressed the press following a gathering of Vokkaliga community leaders in Bengaluru, which was presided over by Adichunchanagiri mutt seer Nirmalanandanatha Swami.

Union Minister Karandlaje remarked, "The meeting concluded that completing the caste census within 15 days is not feasible, especially with the upcoming celebrations of the Navratri festival. More time should be allocated for the survey. It is crucial that individuals have the opportunity to verify the accuracy of their data. An online verification facility should be implemented."

She continued, "It has also been agreed that members of the Vokkaliga community should identify their religion as Hindu and their caste as Vokkaliga."

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka asserted, "Our community must not be fractured under any circumstances. The caste census cannot be finalized in just 15 days. During this period, the Dussehra festival will be celebrated, along with many other local festivities in north Karnataka. Many individuals will be traveling during this time."

He further stated, "We plan to formally request the government to extend the 15-day timeframe for the caste census. All sub-castes of the Vokkaliga community should indicate in the census that their religion is Hindu and caste is Vokkaliga. We have also resolved to oppose any efforts to split the Vokkaliga community into sub-castes. The government is urged to eliminate the Vokkaliga-Christian designation. Should the government ignore our requests, we will take to the streets."

BJP MLC C.T. Ravi also claimed, "While the Congress accuses others of 'vote theft', they are engaging in 'caste theft' in Karnataka. Initially, the state recognized 877 castes, which later swelled to 1,511, with an additional 211 newly recognized castes. Who authorized the government to augment the number of castes? By associating Hindu castes with Christianity, this government is committing 'caste theft.'"

He emphasized, "We will not permit this 'caste theft' to happen. We demand that this census be conducted scientifically rather than unscientifically. Why is the census scheduled during Hindu festivals? Tomorrow is Mahalaya Amavasya, a time when Hindus fast and perform rituals for their ancestors. The government expects them to abandon these traditions for the census. If the Congress-led government had scheduled the survey during festivals of other religions, it would likely lead to unrest."

"Hindu castes are being incorrectly linked to Christianity. A Brahmin cannot be a Christian, yet the government has created a Brahmin-Christian category. Similarly, members of the Vokkaliga community should not be classified as Vokkaliga-Christian. If any injustice is inflicted upon our community, we will respond strongly."

Nirmalanandanatha Swami indicated that the mobile numbers of every individual should be recorded during the caste census, and the collected data must be accessible to the public.