Karnataka Government Will Deliberate on Caste Census Report: Deputy CM Shivakumar

Bengaluru, April 11 (NationPress) The government of Karnataka will not rush into any decisions regarding the caste census report, stated Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday.

This statement was made in response to media inquiries during a press interaction at Vidhana Soudha on Friday evening.

When questioned about the discussions surrounding the caste census report in the Cabinet meeting, Shivakumar remarked: "The Law Minister presented the report, yet no MLA or minister has reviewed it. A comprehensive discussion on the issue will take place."

In response to inquiries about any opposition from ministers, he stated: "There is no dissent from any minister regarding the caste census. It has not been dismissed by anyone."

Shivakumar's comments are significant due to his earlier stance that the government should acknowledge the concerns of the Vokkaliga community related to the caste census report, of which he is a member.

Both the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities have contended that the caste census report is flawed.

The caste census report was unveiled at a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. However, the state government is expected to make a decision on the report's recommendations on April 17.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the report was presented during the Cabinet meeting. However, the specifics of the recommendations are still undisclosed.

Several ministers are currently evaluating the recommendations, and further discussions are set for the next Cabinet meeting, which is scheduled for April 17 at 4 pm.

"We will deliberate on this in the Cabinet meeting and reach a conclusion," said CM Siddaramaiah.

Sources indicate that the report comprises over 46 volumes, with data also provided in 2 CDs covering various aspects of the caste survey.

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 the survey at a cost of approximately Rs 169 crore. The report was completed by 2016 but was subsequently shelved by following administrations.

The coalition government of Congress and JD-S led by H.D. Kumaraswamy and the BJP government under B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai also left the report unaddressed.

In 2020, the BJP-led Karnataka government appointed Jayaprakash Hegde as the Commission head, yet the report remained unpublished. Hegde submitted the final report to the Siddaramaiah government on February 29, 2024.

Sources have indicated that Muslims have been identified as the second-largest population group following SCs/STs in the census report.

Opposition parties, including the BJP and JD-S, have voiced their objections to the report's implementation. Communities such as the Lingayats and Vokkaligas argue that the report misrepresents their population.

The Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, stated on Friday that the caste census report compiled by the Siddaramaiah government lacks scientific validity.

Addressing reporters in Bengaluru on the issue, Ashoka mentioned: "The individuals conducting the caste census did not visit every household. This report was created under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s directives. Because it appears politically motivated, it will not be accepted. I also advocate for a caste census. However, this report seems designed to create discord among castes for certain interests."

On February 18, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that the caste census was conducted scientifically, asserting that his government would implement its findings without hesitation.

"Our administration endorses the caste census. We have recognized the caste census report and will indeed act on it in the near future. There should be no uncertainties regarding this," he assured.