D K Shivakumar urges people not to panic over Karnataka caste census

"I am appealing to all religious leaders and other leaders of all communities to educate their respective communities' people and participate in the census without any hesitation. This exercise is massive and if any people have an objection after the census, they have an opportunity to appeal it to rectify," he told reporters here.

New Delhi: Insisting that the caste census will be done to ascertain the socio-economic status of people of the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday appealed to leaders of all communities and religion, not to panic about the exercise.

"I am appealing to all religious leaders and other leaders of all communities to educate their respective people and participate in the census without any hesitation.

"This exercise is massive and if any people have an objection after the census, they have an opportunity to appeal it to rectify," he told reporters here.

“There is no need to panic. The government is very clear that this exercise will be done to ascertain the socio-economic status of the people of the state,” Vokkaliga leader said.

Shivakumar was answering a question on concern expressed by some of the Hindu religious leaders, who have alleged that the exercise purpose was to divide Hindus.

“Through the caste census, we wanted to provide justice to all the communities. Vokkaligas also held a meeting at Bengaluru on Saturday. I have also attended the meeting. Our main intention was to educate our community leaders and people,” he said.

Slamming the BJP, Shivakumar said the Opposition party leaders are trying to mislead the public by giving false narrative to the exercise.