<p>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.</p><p>According to the survey, the population of the Vokkaliga community has been estimated at 61.58 lakh across 48 sub-castes.</p><p>Congress has 21 Vokkaligas, including Shivakumar. Tuesday’s meeting will be held at Shivakumar’s official residence.</p> .DK Shivakumar holds closed-door meeting on BDA projects.<p>“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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah was tight-lipped when asked about the opposition to the caste census.</p><p>"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.</p><p><strong>‘Form panel to study report’</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>“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.</p> .<p><strong>Recount?</strong></p><p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p><p>According to the survey, the population of the Vokkaliga community has been estimated at 61.58 lakh across 48 sub-castes.</p><p>Congress has 21 Vokkaligas, including Shivakumar. Tuesday’s meeting will be held at Shivakumar’s official residence.</p> .DK Shivakumar holds closed-door meeting on BDA projects.<p>“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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah was tight-lipped when asked about the opposition to the caste census.</p><p>"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.</p><p><strong>‘Form panel to study report’</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>“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.</p> .<p><strong>Recount?</strong></p><p>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. </p>
