Karnataka Caste Census Report Lacks Major Errors: Hegde
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Synopsis
On April 17, Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Chairman Jayaprakash Hegde stated that the caste census report prepared by the government contains no significant errors, despite minor discrepancies. He emphasized that the report is currently with the Cabinet for discussion and potential decision-making.
Key Takeaways
- No major errors found in the caste census report.
- Caste identification among Muslims revealed 93 castes and subcastes.
- Reservation limits increased for Economically Weaker Sections.
- Past governments delayed the report's implementation.
- Report estimates Muslim population at 18.08 percent with 8 percent reservation recommended.
Bengaluru, April 17 (NationPress) The Chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, Jayaprakash Hegde, asserted on Thursday that there are no significant errors in the caste census report compiled by the state government.
“I believe there are no errors in the report or the data. There might be minor discrepancies, but no significant errors exist. The report is currently with the Cabinet, who will deliberate and make a decision,” Chairman Hegde informed the media.
He further mentioned that some individuals have begun voicing complaints without properly reviewing the report.
“After ensuring my satisfaction, the members and the member-secretary signed the report and submitted it to the government,” Chairman Hegde stated.
He also pointed out that, similar to Hindus, they identified 93 castes and subcastes among Muslims during the survey.
“As per their request, we have verified them and made our decisions,” he explained.
When questioned about the division of Hindu major castes into subcastes while the Muslim community is categorized as a single group, he clarified that Muslims are grouped together. However, many castes exist across other categories, with some subcastes included in nomadic communities.
Regarding the reservation limit, Hegde mentioned that the central government has increased the reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) by 10 percent, noting that a constitutional amendment was enacted and the court approved it.
“I cannot predict future decisions. That is up to the judiciary's discretion,” he added.
In 2014, Siddaramaiah, during his initial term as Chief Minister, initiated the Karnataka Socio-Economic and Educational Census. A committee led by the then Backward Classes Commission Chairman, H. Kantharaju, conducted a survey costing approximately Rs 169 crore. The report was completed in 2016 but was subsequently sidelined by later governments.
The coalition government of Congress and JD-S under H.D. Kumaraswamy and the BJP government led by B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai also delayed the report.
In 2020, the BJP-led Karnataka government appointed Jayaprakash Hegde as the head of the Commission, but the report remained undisclosed.
Hegde delivered the final report to the Siddaramaiah government on February 29, 2024. Opposition parties, including the BJP and JD-S, have contested the report's implementation.
The caste census report provided by the Backward Classes Commission reportedly estimates the Muslim population in the state at 18.08 percent and recommends 8 percent reservation for this community, sources revealed.
