16 hours ago
New caste census faces resistance from sections of OBCs
Bengaluru: The govt's decision to commission a new socio-economic and educational survey, commonly known as the caste census, has drawn mixed responses from communities. While a section of backward classes has voiced strong opposition, politically dominant communities such as Lingayats and Vokkaligas have welcomed the move.
Some representatives of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are urging the govt to implement the recommendations of the original report drawn up by the Kantharaj Commission, which was submitted to the govt by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (BC commission) last year.
This report favours OBCs, especially communities like Kurubas, who were classified under a separate 1-B category with 12% reservation.
The report also proposed doubling reservation for Muslims from 4% to 8%, a recommendation that has reportedly disappointed some in the Muslim community due to its perceived insufficiency.
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he Shoshitha Vargagala Maha Okkota (Great Federation of Exploited Communities), an umbrella organisation representing OBCs, backward classes, and minorities, has threatened a statewide agitation against a new census.
K Ramachadrappa, president of the Maha Okkota and former head of Karnataka Pradesha Kurubara Sangha, criticised the govt for discarding the Kantharaj Commission report after spending Rs 168 crore on it. "The govt claims the survey must be conducted once every 10 years, but that is irrelevant since the Kantharaj report was never implemented," he said. "Our demand is to implement its recommendations. We will meet on Friday (June 20) to decide on modalities of the agitation.
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In contrast, Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, which had opposed the Kantharaj report, have expressed support for a fresh enumeration. B Kenchappa Gowda, president of Vokkaligara Sangha, said the Sangha plans to conduct an online survey of Vokkaliga communities to "complement" the govt's proposed census. Similarly, Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha is preparing an outreach programme to spread awareness on the upcoming survey.
Officials indicate that the official order to commence the census may be issued on Thursday (June 19), the birthday of Rahul Gandhi, Lok Sabha LoP and senior Congress functionary. Rahul, a major proponent of social justice through caste-based surveys, is said to have encouraged the state govt to adopt a model like Telangana's survey.
Backward classes welfare minister Shivaraj Tangadagi said: "Procedure will be followed.
We are considering suggestions on the survey's modalities and schedule. I will consult chief minister Siddaramaiah, and an order will be issued soon based on his directions."
The cabinet has set a 90-day timeline to complete the enumeration. However, the govt is yet to nominate members to the BC commission. Moreover, the involvement of schoolteachers in the survey may disrupt the academic calendar.
Madhusudan R Naik, chairman of the BC commission, confirmed that preliminary work on the survey has begun, with efforts underway to fill the commission's vacant positions.
