Kharge cautions Karnataka govt on caste census, internal quota moves

Hosapete: In a strong message to his own party’s government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ensure that the caste census is implemented properly. 

Kharge also warned Siddaramaiah about Lingayats identifying themselves as Scheduled Castes (SC). 

The Congress veteran broached the two contentious issues -- caste census and internal reservation among SCs -- at the ‘Samarpane Sankalpa’ event to mark the Congress completing 24 months in office. 

Kharge said it was due to pressure created by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced counting of castes during the upcoming census.

“This (caste census) is being done in states where we are in power,” Kharge said.

“I want to tell (CM) Siddaramaiah and his Cabinet colleagues,” Kharge said, “Do the census, but it must happen correctly. It must not bring disrepute to Rahul Gandhi. If you do something just to claim credit, then it will harm the state.”

Karnataka’s 2015 Social & Educational Survey, which is currently under discussion before the Cabinet, has been opposed by several communities, including the ‘dominant’ Lingayats and Vokkaligas. 

Kharge then turned to internal reservation, which was Congress’ poll promise.

The state government is carrying out a survey of Scheduled Castes to collect empirical data for this purpose.

“You are doing internal reservation...I have never opposed it,” Kharge, an SC member himself, said.

“But here, you are including Beda Jangamas. It is unfair if Beda Jangamas are included in the SC list. It will go against all untouchables and all SCs,” he said. 

Kharge was referring to the contention that Lingayats, a forward community, have obtained certificates identifying themselves as Beda Jangamas, who are categorised under SC. 

When Kharge sought to draw Siddaramaiah’s attention, the CM was not on the dais. “Where is Siddaramaiah? Has he gone?” he said. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar went up to Kharge, stood next to him and listened. 

“Let us help Lingayats who are poor,” Kharge said. “There were only 500 Beda Jangamas in the Kalyana Karnataka region. How did their number increase to 4-5 lakh? Where did they come from?” he asked. 

“Are you trying to snatch the rights of SCs, or are you genuinely trying to help them? First, jail those officials who are issuing false caste certificates. Otherwise, we will be betraying the entire community,” Kharge said. Last week, Food & Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa, also an SC, wrote to Siddaramaiah, flagging the possibility of Lingayats being counted as Beda Jangamas during the ongoing survey.