Caste issue sees differences swept aside

The chief minister’s pet project gets support from backward community leaders in other parties too

While the Vokkaliga and Lingayat community leaders are opposed to the state government’s caste census on grounds that it is an attempt to divide society, the pet project of chief minister Siddaramaiah is garnering support from unexpected quarters. Backward community leaders from parties other than the Congress too are supporting the census, strengthening Siddaramaiah’s cause. Kuruba leaders from other parties are firmly behind the CM.

Former deputy chief minister and BJP leader KS Eshwarappa, speaking to Mirror, said, “I do not know why some people are opposing it. If the Vokkaligas and Lingayats are more in number, they will get more allocation. So why oppose it? The problem is with people who are concerned only about their own caste and sub-caste. The caste census is absolutely necessary.”

JDS leader and former minister Bandeppa Kashempur, speaking to Mirror, said, “This is a long pending project. Even the union government had made an attempt and allotted Rs 25 crore for the state, but it never took off. Siddaramaiah has made a good move. He had made speeches about it earlier and I had expected that he would announce the caste census the day after becoming the chief minister. He has, however, taken two years. The demand has come from many sides including the backward classes commission.”

Eshwarappa said that it is not the question of caste but economic condition that necessitated the caste census. He said, “Educational and political reservation according to the Constitution will continue as long as the dalits and backward communities require them. But when it comes to economic conditions, the dalits and backwards are still in a pathetic condition. There may be a few rich dalits, but a majority of them are still living in inhuman conditions. Let us not paint this census with caste colours. We need the data so that everyone gets their deserved allocations. We have to come out of the mean mentality of thinking about our own castes.”

Kashempur said, “Those opposing it should be ignored. Whatever anyone may say, this census is important for the people. There is the backward classes development corporation which cannot decide on how much to allocate to each caste. Centre allots money for development of backward classes. This census will give the necessary data for the allocation of these funds. It will become a yardstick for future policies. I personally support the caste census and am 100 per cent sure that it is for the good of all and absolutely necessary.”
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