BENGALURU: Upping their ante against the state government for its decision to publish the report on caste census, leaders of both Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities plan to hold a joint meeting to chalk out the future course of action on grounds that such a move would only help drive a wedge between people across the state.
“This census is aimed at dividing people on the basis of caste, and this will not be allowed. Besides, the enumerators have not covered even 50 per cent of residents in urban areas. Under such circumstances, how can the data be perfect", asked former MLC N Thippanna of Akhila Bharathiya Veerashaiva Mahasabha and Dr Appaji Gowda, president of Karnataka Vokkaligara Sangha.
After a gap of almost eight decades, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took the initiative to order a census based on castes and their socio-economic conditions at a cost of Rs 180 crores.
Around one lakh enumerators were been engaged in this exercise to collect details of every family. Submission of the final report by Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission has been delayed due to various reasons.
Meanwhile, leakage of some details of the report which indicate a spurt in the population of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, followed by Muslims has doubtlessly stirred the hornet's nest. Such selective leakage of details has given a feeling that the government seems keen to test the water before releasing the final report.
Though the state government has released a statement that details of the census which appeared in the media were “incorrect,” and that the final report would be published within three to four months, leaders of these two dominant communities are up in arms.
Mr Thippanna told DC that president of Veerashaiva Mahasabha and horticulture minister, Mr Shamanur Shivashankarappa, would soon convene a meeting to decide the next course of action. He quoted the report submitted by Justice Chinnappa Reddy Commission to buttress the fact that there were 61 lakh Lingayats but the leaked census report indicated lesser number.
The enumerators had considered only 64 sub-sects of the total 103 sub-sects. If all the sub-sects are taken into consideration, the total population of the community would exceed 1.5 crores.
“I am sure that the government will stick to details (which have already appeared in the media). We are not against AHINDA but the government must not trample on other major communities in the guise of uplifting oppressed classes,” he said adding “We are in constant touch with leaders of Vokkaliga Sangha who have promised to work together seeking justice".
Meanwhile, Dr Appaji Gowda questioned the veracity of the report since the census was defective. “A request has come from Veerashaiva Mahasabha to fight against this injustice unitedly. We are ready as both are aggrieved parties. If the final report is published, we have no option but to hit the streets,” he added.
