Synopsis
In Karnataka, the Vokkaliga community, led by Kenchappa Gowda, declares opposition to the caste census report, claiming it leads to injustice. The community plans a unified protest with the Lingayats and other groups, criticizing the census data and advocating for accurate representation.Key Takeaways
- Karnataka Vokkaliga Association opposes caste census report.
- Joint struggle planned with Lingayat and other communities.
- Concerns over population estimates in the census.
- Protests may lead to significant political repercussions.
- Cabinet meeting scheduled to discuss the report.
Bengaluru, April 15 (NationPress) In a significant turn of events, the Karnataka Vokkaliga Association has declared that the community will contest the caste census report, joining forces with the Lingayat and other affected groups.
During a press briefing on Tuesday in Bengaluru, Kenchappa Gowda, the state President of the Vokkaliga community, expressed concern that the implementation of the caste census report would result in injustice to the Vokkaliga community.
He stated, "We will initiate a unified struggle alongside other affected communities. We will stand together with the Lingayats," he proclaimed.
"The movement will unfold throughout the state. Farmers, entrepreneurs, and officials will demonstrate. The public is profoundly dissatisfied. Previously, we submitted a representation to the Chief Minister regarding the caste census report. All ministers from the Vokkaliga community, including Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, had endorsed that representation," Gowda remarked.
He further noted that Shivakumar is currently refraining from opposing the census report because he is part of the ruling government.
"We trust that he will contest the report within the Cabinet," Gowda indicated.
Expounding on the nature of the protest, Gowda emphasized that Karnataka has experienced the repercussions when the Vokkaliga community protests vigorously. He cautioned that the government could potentially face collapse as a consequence.
The state government is gearing up to implement the H. Kantharaju Commission report. However, Gowda criticized the findings as flawed, highlighting that the report was released after a decade and estimates the population of the Vokkaliga community to be merely 60 lakh.
"We have observed population surveys conducted in each taluk during elections. Caste-wise data can yield precise statistics regarding the population of different communities. Are there truly only 60 to 61 lakh Vokkaligas across all 224 assembly constituencies?" Gowda questioned.
He asserted that the Vokkaliga community has been positioned in the sixth rank in terms of population, which he claimed was orchestrated to enhance reservation advantages for other communities.
"We will initiate a collaborative struggle with other communities. The Vokkaliga Association vehemently opposes the caste census report," he declared.
Nelligere Babu, Director of the Vokkaligara Sangha, also asserted that if the report is enacted, the Congress-led government in Karnataka will be destabilized.
In response to these developments, Shivakumar mentioned that he will participate in the special Cabinet meeting as a representative of the community.
Regarding the proposal to convene a meeting of Vokkaliga MLAs, he stated that the perspectives of community leaders and ministers would be considered.
"I must present the community's viewpoint in the cabinet meeting. I am not an expert. I hail from a village background. I gather information and convey my insights in the Cabinet," Shivakumar noted.
The caste census report presented by the Backwards Classes Commission to the Congress-led government in Karnataka has estimated the Muslim population in the state at 18.08 percent and recommends an 8 percent reservation for the community, according to sources.
The caste census report was submitted to the state cabinet on April 10, and the state government is convening a special Cabinet meeting on April 17 to deliberate on the report’s recommendations. However, no official statement has been released to the media regarding the report’s specifics. Nevertheless, details discussed in the cabinet meeting have surfaced publicly.
According to sources, the report categorizes the Muslim population under Category 2B at 18.08 percent, with a total population of 75.25 lakh. The report advocates for an increase in their reservation from 4 percent to 8 percent. This is greater than the Vokkaliga community, which is presently recognized as the second-largest population group in the state. The Vokkaliga population is documented at 61.68 lakh, accounting for 10.31 percent of the total. The report suggests elevating their reservation to 7 percent, as per sources.
The census report indicates the Lingayat community's population at 66.35 lakh, comprising 11.09 percent, which is lower than the Muslim population. The report recommends raising their reservation to 8 percent. Currently, the Lingayat community is acknowledged as the largest in the state.
Additionally, sources confirmed that the caste census report proposes increasing the total reservation to over 75 percent in Karnataka. The survey estimates the population of Other Backwards Classes (OBCs) at 4.18 crore, Scheduled Castes (SCs) at 1.09 crore, and Scheduled Tribes (STs) at 42.81 lakh.
As per sources, the report suggests that OBC groups constitute approximately 70 percent of the state’s population.
