Karnataka Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha President Shankar Bidari said the organisation would conduct a separate census.
Published Apr 16, 2025 | 11:27 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 16, 2025 | 11:27 AM
Karnataka Caste Census.
Synopsis: The Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities in Karnataka rejected the findings of the recently submitted caste census. They claimed the data in the report was wrong and they would conduct independent surveys.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the Socio-Economic Educational Survey Report 2015 (Caste census) in the cabinet meeting on 11 April.
While some ministers have been saying that they are still going through the report, another cabinet meeting will be held on Thursday, 17 April, to discuss the report.
On Wednesday, Siddaramaiah said, “We will decide the next steps after this cabinet meeting. I will also comment on it after 17 April.”
However, two dominant communities in the state, Vokkaligas and Lingayats, have decided to go for a separate caste census. They rejected the report saying that it showed wrong numbers and a decrease in the population of their communities.
Karnataka Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha President Shankar Bidari said the organisation would conduct a separate census.
“We will go for a separate census for Veerashaiva Lingayats across all the taluks in Karnataka. It will begin in January and will be conducted by the taluk members of our own organisation. That is why we are working to strengthen the offices at the taluk level. We will go far and beyond the guidelines of the Supreme Court while conducting the caste census survey. Their income, social, economic, and educational background will be taken into consideration.”
He added, “Currently, there is only an abstract of the caste census report by the Government of Karnataka is available. There is no detailed version of it. We have IAS officers who are going to study this in detail. Whatever the outcome of the cabinet meeting on 17 April, we will conduct a separate caste census.”
Pointing out the data of the Chinnappa Reddy Commission and Havanoor Commission, he said, “The Chinnappa Reddy Commission’s report in the 1980s showed Lingayat population at 69 lakh, which was 16.92 percent of the total population. The Havanoor Commission report concluded that 17.23 percent of the total population is Lingayat. I wonder if there was a plague, war or any calamity for the population to reduce so drastically in just three decades.”
In the government-conducted caste Census, the population of Lingayats is recorded as 66.3 lakh, which is 11 percent of the population of Karnataka. It has proposed an eight precent reservation for the community, along with others under the 3B category. It comprises Lingayats, Christians, Bunts and others whose total population is estimated at 81.37 lakh.
When asked, if any surveyors visited his residence to collect details, he agreed to it. “Yes, they did visit my residence in BTM layout. But a lot of common people, political leaders and others have said the surveyors did not visit their house to get the details.”
Meanwhile, Renuka Prasad, National Secretary, of Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha, also said that they will conduct a separate caste census. He said, “We are yet to decide with other office bearers on how to go about it.”
Meanwhile, sources said the Karnataka State Vokkaligara Sangha may also go for a separate caste census.
The current caste census projected the total population of Vokkaligas at 61.6 lakh population, 10 percent of the total population and a proposed reservation of seven precent. Vokkaligas are categorised under 3A category, which also include Balijas, Kodavas and others with a total population of 72.99 lakh.
Vokkaliga leader Kenchappa Gowda said, “The decision of whether we would go for a separate caste census will be taken after the 17 April cabinet meeting. Before we decide on conducting a separate caste census, we will also discuss it with our seers including Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, pontiff of Shri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Mutt.”
“Currently, we have given the caste census report to a retired IAS officer to conduct a detailed study. The notes made after it will be a contributing factor in deciding if a separate census needs to be taken up. Computerised data will be also prepared in this regard.”
He asked: “How can the number be 61 lakhs in 274 constituencies?” and added that there would be at least 60,000 Vokkaligas in each taluk.
“A new survey has to be done. We will protest across the state. Our MLAs and ministers should also protest against it. Didn’t we vote for them to come to power? ” he further asked.
Nelligere Babu, Director of the Karnataka Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha, warned that the state government would collapse if the recommendations of the report were implemented.
“We haven’t accepted the report. It will be an injustice to our community. We will join hands with the Veerashaiva Lingayats and Brahmins,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
