01-05-2025
State govt. should implement reports by BCs Commissions, say OBC leaders
'The State government should implement the reports submitted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commissions. It should not yield to pressure tactics by dominant caste groups,' the Federation of Backward Classes and Oppressed Classes has demanded.
'Influential caste groups like Lingayats and Vokkaligas, which are accusing the commissions of under reporting them in the caste census report, are giving empty threats to the State government. The State government should not listen to such groups nor be intimidated by them. The State government does not need to be afraid of any empty threats. The State government should take a brave step and implement the reports by H. Kantaraju and Jayaprakash Hegde,' federation president Rajendra Sannakki said in Belagavi on Tuesday.
He told reporters that some groups like Veerashaiva Lingayats and Vokkaligas are opposing the reports. But members of these communities have been claiming exclusive identities only to claim reservation facilities. If that is the case, then they cannot claim that they are united and are a homogenous unit, Dr. Sannakki said.
'The backward classes want to send a message to the politically dominant castes. We have tolerated your arrogance for 70 years, but we will not do so any longer. Our numbers are big enough to help any party win elections without your support,' he said.
'Every community has a right to raise questions on the validity of the data collected by the commission or its recommendations for recategorisation of reservation. If there are any loopholes in the reports, there is always an opportunity to correct them. But to do that, all castes and communities should accept the report. We cannot reject the report and then, say we want some changes in it,' he said.
'No community should claim that we are the majority without knowing the truth in the report. The Chief Minister should immediately accept the report and disclose its content to the public. He should not be afraid of the threats of Lingayats and Vokkaligas. It should implement the report to provide justice to the deprived classes. The federation and other similar groups are strongly behind the Chief Minister,' Dr. Sannakki said.
Belagavi Urban Development Authority chairman Laxmanrao Chingale said that it is wrong not to make the report of the commission public after spending ₹160 crore on the exercise.
'The report should be accepted immediately. In some earlier cases, the Supreme Court has given directions to implement Backward Classes Commission survey reports. If there are any errors in the reports, they can be rectified. There is no need for any re-survey,' Mr. Chingale said.
Rajashekar Talawar said that Mr. Siddaramaiah should convene a special legislature session to discuss the reports. 'After giving an open opportunity for all legislators to give their opinion, the survey reports should be accepted and implemented. There should be no delay in the process,' he said.
Leader of the federation of Dalit organizations Mallesh Chougule said that they will put pressure on the State government to implement the reports.
Leaders Ramesh Madar, Syed Mansoor, Akash Bevinakatti, Mahadeva Phola, Santosh Hongal, Arjun Gudennavar, Vinayak Banahatti, Basavaraja Basaligundi, Bhagwant Bandi, H.S. Nasalapuri, S.F. Poojary Madeppa Thollinavara, Kempanna Kurugund, Mallappa Sannakki, Srikanth Hadimani, Shankar Rao Hegde, Ashok Metgud and others were present at the press conference.
