CM to urge Centre to include Kunchitiga in OBC list

The State government will urge the Centre to include the ‘Kunchitiga’ caste into the Central Other Backward Classes (OBC) list, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday.

Addressing the gathering during the Kunchitiga convention at the Palace Grounds, Siddaramaiah said that the State government, which had considered the community under category 3A, has included the caste in the backward classes list, as per the recommendations of the Mandal Commission.

However, in 1995, the caste was dropped from the list. “I will urge the Centre to include the caste in the list again. The government is ready to provide land for the construction of hostel and also, aid for the education of this community.”

Siddaramaiah said the government had also granted six acres of land for the community for the setting up a Mutt in Bengaluru. “We have to build a society which is secular. However, it’s not easy to end deep-rooted caste systems. Until equality is restored in its full sense, we have to endure the caste system,” he added.

He also said that such conventions gave a platform for the backward communities to voice their grievances.

He said the Kunchitigas, who were 20 lakh in number, should have at least ensured that they showcased their strength by congregating at least one lakh Kunchitigas for the convention. “But don’t tell anybody that I have said this,” he told the gathering in a lighter vein. Home Minister G Parameshwara said the government will be with the community, as long as the community reciprocated the same.