Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 14 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has called a meeting of Congress MLAs belonging to the Vokkaliga community on Tuesday at his residence to deliberate on the state’s caste census and its implications.
This move comes as political discourse around the caste census intensifies. Speaking to the media earlier, Shivakumar said that communities defending their interests in the wake of the census results is a valid and constitutionally allowed stance.
“Veerashaiva Mahasabha is trying to protect its community’s interests, why should we criticise them? They are well within their rights to present their views,” Shivakumar stated, responding to Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s criticism of the census and the Mahasabha’s formation of an expert panel to review the report.
Shivakumar reiterated that the Karnataka government is maintaining full transparency and that the caste census will be open for discussion in the Legislative Assembly.
When questioned about his earlier statements supporting the Vokkaliga community during the pre-election period, he responded:
“I am now the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). It’s my duty to ensure justice for everyone.”
On the reported Vokkaliga population figure of 61 lakh in the caste survey, Shivakumar declined to comment further, again pointing to his current role as KPCC President.
He also addressed unrelated concerns regarding the Bengaluru Karaga festival, emphasizing that:
“Karaga symbolizes communal harmony. There are established rules for disbursing grants, and the district administration is responsible for ensuring fair allocation.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a special cabinet meeting on April 17 to exclusively discuss the caste census report submitted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.
“We are committed to building the kind of society envisioned by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar,” Siddaramaiah said.
If released, Karnataka will become the second Congress-ruled state after Telangana to publish a caste-based socioeconomic and educational survey.