CM defends caste census, says govt will study quota for Balijas

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday justified his government’s controversial decision of carrying out the caste census in the State.

“The caste census had not taken place since 1931. The Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court had directed the government to provide the latest percentage of a particular caste in the total population of the state, whenever the government plans to extend reservation facility to a particular caste. The government decided to conduct the caste census to know the current status of various castes in the state,” Siddaramaiah said after inaugurating Balija Mahasabha convention at Palace Grounds here.

“The caste census will be submitted to the government shortly. The government will study the latest status of the Balija community and take a suitable decision regarding extending employment and political reservation to the community members. The government can’t extend employment and political reservation facility to any castes or implement welfare schemes without understanding the latest status of various castes,” he said.

BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa alleged that Siddaramaiah failed to make definite premises regarding including the Balija community under Category 2 A to make it eligible for employment and political reservation. “Wait for nine more months. I will provide employment and political reservation to the Balija community within 24 hours if the BJP is voted to power,” he said.

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda said the amendment to the Constitution was not required to include the Balija community under Category 2 A.

Balija Mahasabha president and Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan said: “The reservation given to the Balija community under Category 2 A was withdrawn without any reasons in 1994. We just want the government to rectify the error by including the community under Category 2 A.”