Leaked Caste Census Turns Karnataka Politics On Its Head, Provides Siddaramaiah New Lease Of Life – News18
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In keeping with leaked knowledge, two politically and economically highly effective castes—Lingayats and Vokkaligas— are within the third and fourth place after Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Muslims
Siddaramaiah is hopeful that until the census matter is settled, he’s untouchable, and it’ll reconsolidate his AHINDA bloc. (PTI)
Two incidents inside a spot of only one week appear to have modified the political equations in Karnataka.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah visited New Delhi after a spot of virtually three months and met the Congress excessive command, together with Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. In keeping with insiders, the assembly was something however cordial. Each Kharge and Gandhi expressed their displeasure in regards to the state of affairs in Karnataka. With out mincing phrases, they instructed the chief minister to set his home proper instantly.
Even earlier than Siddaramaiah might return to Bengaluru, rumours began doing the rounds of corridors of energy that the CM has been placed on a good efficiency enchancment programme. The faction against Siddaramaiah, led by his deputy and Karnataka State Congress president DK Shivakumar, began celebrations, hoping he would make it to the coveted submit by the top of Monsoon season.
Just a few days later, your entire ruling occasion flew to Ahmedabad to attend the AICC session. There, Siddaramaiah acquired an opportunity to debate with Rahul Gandhi the controversial caste census performed throughout his earlier regime. Gandhi, a robust advocate of caste census, agreed with the chief minister that it ought to be made public. Apparently, he instructed the highly effective Lingayat and Vokkaliga ministers to not oppose it in public. Upon his return, a triumphant Siddaramaiah hurriedly convened a cupboard assembly and launched the contents of the census. Although sad with the findings, each Lingayat and Vokkaliga ministers exercised warning, promising to review the census earlier than getting again to the chief minister.
The findings of the census, nevertheless, have been leaked, turning Karnataka’s caste-ridden politics on its head. The beleaguered CM feels he’s safer in his chair until they take a choice on the implementation of caste census, which could take a yr or two.
In keeping with leaked knowledge, two politically and economically highly effective castes—Lingayats and Vokkaligas— are within the third and fourth place after Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Muslims.
Lingayats and Veerashaiva (a sub-sect) collectively have a inhabitants of about 77 lakh. Vokkaligas have a inhabitants of about 62 lakh. Since these two dominant communities have additionally been categorised as Different Backward Lessons (OBCs) together with Muslims, the overall variety of OBC inhabitants now stands at 70 per cent of Karnataka’s whole inhabitants.
The SCs are about 1.10 crore and the STs are about 43 lakh, in accordance with leaked knowledge. The overall class, together with Brahmins, is simply 30 lakh, it reveals. The contentious challenge is Muslim inhabitants, which is about 76 lakh, larger than the Lingayats and Vokkaligas. Lingayats have all the time maintained that they’re the most important neighborhood within the state, numbering nearly 1.5 crore. These new revelations have ruffled the feathers of neighborhood leaders, who concern it would threaten their political dominance. The Vokkaligas have expressed identical considerations.
Lingayats, led by industries and commerce minister MB Patil, have disputed the leaked numbers, claiming their inhabitants remains to be very excessive. Patil argued that many sub-castes among the many Lingayats have talked about their authentic caste for the good thing about reservations, not Lingayat religion within the census, although they observe Lingayat religion. Vokkaligas additionally make related claims, dismissing the findings as unscientific.
Some individuals complain that no enumerator has ever visited them to conduct the caste census and its outcomes are bogus. The federal government, nevertheless, dismissed such complaints.
The opposition BJP and JDS are intently and cautiously following the developments. The OBCs minus these two are upbeat and really feel that it’ll fully change Karnataka’s socio-political scene of their favour.
Siddaramaiah is hopeful that until the census matter is settled, he’s untouchable, and it’ll reconsolidate his AHINDA (an alliance of minorities, backward lessons, SC/STs), additional giving Congress a robust political platform to cease BJP-JDS of their tracks. Others, nevertheless, really feel that the federal government has simply thrown a stone at a beehive.
