On the directions of CM Siddaramaiah, a socio-economic and education survey, headed by H Kanthraj, was conducted at an estimated cost of ₹162 crore between 2015 and 2018.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah extends the tenure of Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde till January. (South First)
The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka finds itself entangled in a complex web of demands and disagreements regarding the eagerly-anticipated caste census report.
The divergent opinions within the state’s leadership — especially between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar — have brought to the forefront the intricate dynamics surrounding this contentious issue.
The focus of the debate revolves around the acceptance or rejection of the H Kanthraj report following a survey conducted at an estimated cost of ₹162 crore between 2015 and 2018 during the previous Congress government’s tenure.
While Siddaramaiah staunchly supports the acceptance of the report, Shivakumar aligns with pontiffs and leaders from the dominant Vokkaliga community in opposing it.
They are now calling for a resurvey, adding a layer of complexity to the government’s decision-making process.
On the other hand, honouring the request of Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) Chairman Jayprakash Hegde, Siddaramaiah has extended the tenure of the former until he submits the Kanthraj report, which is expected to be submitted by January 2024.
Hegde was appointed the chairman of KSCBC on 24 November, 2020. His three-year tenure would have ended on 24 November this year.
Shivakumar, while aligning with the Congress’ endorsement of a caste census, has underscored the imperative for a scientific approach, acknowledging the clamour from diverse communities’ pontiffs, Cabinet ministers, and MLAs.
The contrast in the statements by him and Siddaramaiah — who unequivocally pledged acceptance of the report — not only sheds light on the nuanced dynamics surrounding the contentious issue but also underscores the challenges in achieving a consensus within the government on this deeply sensitive matter.
Shivakumar told reporters on Wednesday, 22 November: “I stand by the party’s line on the caste census, but the demand of various communities for a scientific approach to it must be considered.”
He added: “Many communities are fighting for proportional reservation. Scheduled Castes (SCs), Panchamasalis, Veerashaivas, and Vokkaligas are all fighting. These demands are across party lines. Certain communities said were not contacted during the census, and hence are demanding a scientific caste census.”
In another significant development, a state Vokkaliga association letter to the chief minister demanding rejection of the Kanthraj report has gone viral, as it has the signatures of JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, former Union minister SM Krishna, Shivakumar, and Cabinet minister MC Sudhakar.
In the letter, Vokkaliga community pontiffs — including Adichunchanagiri Mutt pontiff Nirmalanandanath Swami — expressed concerns about the Kanthraj report and alleged that the survey was carried out unscientifically. They also emphasised in the letter that the caste census was a Central subject and not a state one.
This has led to speculations that Shivakumar was also batting in favour of the Vokkaligas in their push for the rejection of the Kanthraj report.
Asked if he had signed the petition on caste census that was sent to the Chief Minister, Shivakumar said, “Politicians from various communities have been rallying around this issue.”
He added: “I have to wear the community hat and participate in apolitical meetings organised by the community. Is it wrong?”
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah is firm on accepting the report. On Shivakumar and Vokkaligas opposing it, he told reporters in Bengaluru: “The Vokkaliga association has submitted a letter not to consider the caste census report. I have asked them, why are you opposing it even before it is submitted?”
He added: “The caste census report is yet to reach us. The decision will be taken after receiving it.”
Responding to KSCBC Chairman Jayaprakash Hegde’s statement that the original survey report was missing, the chief minister said: “I am not aware of this. He has told me that he will meet me and submit a report. He had requested that his tenure be extended till then.”
He continued: “The period will be extended until he submits the report to the government. The report has been prepared after the expenditure of ₹162 crore. Let’s see if their doubts will be cleared after the report is submitted.”
He added: “Even I am not aware of what’s in the report. The KSCBC is expected to submit the report in December.”
The chief minister also clarified that Shivakumar had not held any talks about this Kanthraj report.
Meanwhile, a first-time Cabinet minister told South First on condition of anonymity: “The Kanthraj report is being opposed by not only Vokkaligas but also Lingayats. The leaders from both the communities are mounting pressure on the chief minister to reject the report.”
Meanwhile, KSCBC Chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde appeared to have heaved a sigh of relief and asserted that he would submit the report soon.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation, Hegde told South First: “We are working hard on putting all the data together to submit the H Kanthraj report on socio-economic and education survey to the government.”
He added: “As the chief minister has made a statement that he has extended my term till January, I am planning to submit the report either in December 2023 or January 2024. Now, I am relieved. If not, we have to work day and night.”
In his letter to the Karnataka chief secretary expressing concerns about the original document of the Kanthraj report missing in 2021, he said: “We required those original documents to write a report. We have the data, which is cent percent safe.”
He also said: “We have the hard copy as well as the soft copy of the survey report. There is no problem with regard to the original document. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has uploaded the entire data to our website (accessible only to officials). There is no question of losing any data.”
Meanwhile, senior BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal questioned the government on the authenticity of the report without the original copy.
He said on X (formerly Twitter), “The government, led by Siddaramaiah, is orchestrating this spectacle to deceive diligent, tax-paying citizens and gain political advantage in anticipation of the upcoming parliamentary elections. Their actions appear to be motivated more by a desire to win favour with voters than a genuine commitment to social justice.”
2015 ರಲ್ಲಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸರ್ಕಾರ 180 ಕೋಟಿ ಖರ್ಚು ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿದ ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆಯ ಮೂಲ ಪ್ರತಿಯೇ ಕಳೆದುಹೋಗಿರುವುದು ಹಾಗು ಲಭ್ಯವಿರುವ ವರದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸದಸ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿಯ ಸಹಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಇರುವುದು ಆಯೋಗದ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳ ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹಿಡಿದ ಕೈಗನ್ನಡಿಯಾಗಿದೆ.
ಹಿಂದುಳಿದ ವರ್ಗಗಳ ಆಯೋಗ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರ ಆಪ್ತ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿಯವರಿಗೆ ನೋಟಿಸ್ ನೀಡಿ… pic.twitter.com/dAHl1bOc7z
— Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) (ಮೋದಿಯವರ ಕುಟುಂಬ) (@BasanagoudaBJP) November 22, 2023
On seers and politicians from the Vokkaliga and other communities alleging that over 40 percent of houses and certain sub-sects were left out in the survey, Hegde pointed out: “Earlier, surveys used to happen on samples. I will not say that we have covered all the houses, but this survey is very close to the populace of Karnataka.”
He added: “Population in every community will increase; I am not denying that. It may also be important to note that we are still using the 2011 census report for various government programmes and works.”
He also said pontiffs and seers from various communities, especially Vokkaligas, were discussing the Kanthraj report with him. However, they had not met him personally, he said.
Regarding the demand for a resurvey from various quarters, Hegde said: “It is not about expenditure for this survey. There is no need for resurvey.”
He added: “The survey has been carried out in a proper scientific manner. This was carried out under the supervision of every district deputy commissioner. Teachers and revenue officials were also part of the survey, they did not have any personal interest in this.”
Asked about when the commission would submit the report of the Vokkaliga and Lingayat (Panchamasali and other sub-sect) communities, he said: “There is no need for a separate survey. This survey is in detail, including the data of every household and each community’s population.”
(With PTI inputs)
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