Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has convened a meeting of Congress’ Vokkaliga lawmakers on Tuesday to discuss the contentious Social and Educational Survey, known also as the caste census amid concerns expressed by the community.
According to the survey, the population of the Vokkaliga community has been estimated at 61.58 lakh across 48 sub-castes.
Congress has 21 Vokkaligas, including Shivakumar. Tuesday’s meeting will be held at Shivakumar’s official residence.
“I'm still studying the report. I’ve called a meeting of our MLAs. We will discuss the report. Our suggestions will be such that everybody’s respect is upheld and nobody's sentiments are hurt,” Shivakumar said.
In November 2023, Shivakumar was among the signatories in a petition addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asking him to junk the 2015 caste census report.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah was tight-lipped when asked about the opposition to the caste census.
"We have convened a special Cabinet meeting on April 17 to discuss just this subject. After the discussion, I will speak (on this subject)," Siddaramaiah said.
‘Form panel to study report’
Congress MLC Dinesh Gooligowda on Monday asked Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to consider constituting a committee comprising experts or a Cabinet sub-committee to analyse the findings of the Social and Educational Survey.
“This has caused consternation among several communities. We mustn’t allow wrong perceptions about the intent of the government and Congress. Also, in order to resolve confusion among the public, a committee of experts or a Cabinet sub-committee should be constituted,” Gooligowda stated in his letters to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Recount?
A section of Cabinet ministers is favouring a recount or re-survey of communities amid disputes being raised on the caste-wise population estimates in the 2015 Social and Educational Survey. "We are doing a survey of Scheduled Castes (for the purpose of internal reservation). Why don't we use that to also cover other communities?" one minister argued.