BENGALURU: Karnataka govt is facing growing internal pressure after the leak of a caste census report that has sparked strong opposition from legislators and leaders belonging to the influential Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities.
With the cabinet scheduled to meet Thursday to deliberate on the report, deputy CM DK Shivakumar has called a special meeting of Congress MLAs from Vokkaliga community at 6pm Tuesday.
“I have not gone through the entire caste census report yet; it is still being studied. Tuesday, I have convened a meeting of our party’s community MLAs. We will have a discussion with them and suggest ways to ensure everyone is respected without hurting anyone’s sentiments,” Shivakumar said Monday.
Forest minister Eshwar Khandre, a Lingayat, said he is compiling views from community leaders.
I too am studying the report and preparing for the cabinet. The opinion of community leadership and individuals will be collated ahead of the cabinet meeting and conveyed a t the meeting,” Khandre said.
CM Siddaramaiah CM Siddaramaiah has maintained silence on the issue, citing a special cabinet meeting. The caste census report was submitted to the cabinet on April 10, but its contents have not been officially released to the public.
According to the leaked findings, the Vokkaliga population stands at 61.6 lakh, or 10.3% of the state’s total, with a proposed reservation of 7%. Lingayats are classified as 11% (66.3 lakh), with a recommendation of 8% reservation. However, internal community divisions — Veerashaiva Lingayats at 10.4 lakh, Panchamasalis at 10.7 lakh, and others — have led to disputes over accurate representation.
The report also estimates the Muslim population at 75.2 lakh -or 12.6% of the state’s total -and suggests doubling their reservation from 4% to 8%. “This is higher than the Vokkaliga community, which i s currently considered the second-largest population group in the state,” it said.
Seers and leaders of the Vokkaliga community have openly opposed the report. On Monday, the All India Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha rejected the findings and called for a fresh survey. Former DGP Shankar Bidari, who heads Mahasabha, claimed Lingayats constitute about 35% of the population, citing that around 15 of the state’s 31 districts each have over 10 lakh Lingayats.
Cooperation minister KN Rajanna, an ST leader, questioned the credibility of criticism from religious organisations. “From where those swamijis and organisations get the data?” he asked.
Home minister G Parameshwara said Thursday’s cabinet meeting will focus solely on the caste census report. “Ministers have been asked to discuss only this subject. After discussion, the matter of acceptance and other issues arise. It’s just a beginning,” he said. On criticism, he added, “I won’t comment on the criticism. Opinions will be made. Let’s discuss this. The opinions are coming from communities and leaders.”
Expelled BJP leader and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal questioned the report’s credibility and challenged the continued categorisation of Muslims as a minority.
“If Muslims are the largest community, then strip the community of the ‘minority community’ status. If the census report is to be accepted, then the Brahmins who constitute just 2% of the state’s population should be given the minority community status,” he said.
Hel alleged the Lingayat population figures were manipulated through sub-sect classification.