JOIN US Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya has said those who wish to get benefits from the government must disclose their caste during the caste census set to begin across Karnataka on April 11.
Contrary to reports that some Lingayat leaders have opposed the caste census, Anjaneya said on Tuesday there was no opposition to the exercise.
“A person can’t be forced to reveal his/her caste during the census. But if caste is revealed, then only will the government be able to provide facilities such as reservation in government jobs and educational institutions. Otherwise how would the government know to whom it should give the benefits,” he asked.
When asked how could the government call the exercise “caste census” if people were free not to reveal their caste, the minister said an overwhelming majority of people were “eagerly waiting” for the census to register their caste and avail themselves of government benefits. Only a few thousand among crores of people in the State may not like to disclose their caste, he avowed.
“Those who prefer to mention their religion instead of caste will not get benefits from the government. There are many people who have failed to obtain the government benefits they deserve. The census aims to identify such people and help them. If somebody is not interested in getting help, what can we do,” he said.
According to Anjaneya, caste associations are already holding discussions to get ready to reply to the questionnaire of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes which will conduct the census. Besides the caste, the census would also throw light on such aspects as a person’s financial and educational background, he said.
If a person identifies themselves as Dalit-Christian or Dalit-Muslim or by any other such classification, they will not be considered Dalits (Hindus). In other words, they would lose the ‘Dalit’ tag. However, the government would go by the official records before deciding the caste of a person, he said.