Veerashaiva-Lingayats reject socio-economic survey report
BENGALURU: Following the recent Vokkaliga Samaj meeting, the Veerashaiva-Lingayats convened to discuss the socio-economic survey and the findings of the Kantharaj Commission on Thursday, expressing their rejection of the report.
Under the leadership of Mahasabha president and MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, the Veerashaiva-Lingayat leaders raised concerns about potential loopholes in the census data based on socio-economic status. They emphasized the need for a scientifically rigorous reevaluation by the government to alleviate suspicions.
During their extensive discussions on the Kantharaj Commission report, the Veerashaiva-Lingayat leaders argued that the report lacked comprehensive research, with allegations that it had been compiled without visiting many households. They claimed that the report underestimated the Veerashaiva-Lingayat population, and this discrepancy could have severe consequences for their community.
Former Backward Classes Commission chairman CS Dwarakanath expressed his concerns, stating, “The findings of the report have not been made public. How can anyone critique the report as unscientific without it being officially presented, relying solely on hearsay?” Meanwhile, Backward Caste leaders, taken aback by the assertiveness of the two dominant communities, announced their intention to convene a meeting to address the issue.
In the midst of this debate, intellectuals such as Prof. S Japhet, formerly the Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore City University and a visiting professor at the National Law School of India University, urged the government to release detailed information from the caste census report. He noted that the demand for a nationwide caste census had been ongoing, primarily driven by backward castes, and opposed by upper castes. Prof. Japhet emphasized that such data could aid in equitable resource allocation and welfare planning, rather than favoring certain privileged castes.
Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Kannada and Culture Department, Shivaraj Tangadagi, clarified that it was incorrect to label the yet-to-be-released report as a ‘caste census.’ He pointed out that protesting against a report without even seeing it was premature, and he appealed to those who had access to the report to provide its details. Tangadagi stated that the report, authored by former Backward Classes Commission chairman H Kantharaju, primarily aimed to provide educational and economic insights across all communities and should not be categorized as a caste census. The state government would thoroughly review the report, he added, noting that it had been prepared during Siddaramaiah’s earlier term as chief minister but was not accepted at that time due to technical reasons.
