‘Not Simply For Muslims’: Karnataka’s Ex-Backward Courses Fee Chief Slams Caste Survey Misinformation – News18
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Jayaprakash Hegde hit again at critics who claimed the survey was “unscientific” or “manipulated”, and mentioned he’s looking forward to the report back to be accepted in full by the cupboard
Jayaprakash Hegde mentioned the info does present Scheduled Castes as the one largest group. (X @JPH_official)
Former Karnataka Backward Courses Fee chairman Jayaprakash Hegde has damaged his silence on the caste census report, defending the method of information assortment, slamming allegations of bias, and clarifying that the proposed improve in reservations just isn’t meant solely for Muslims, as indicated within the leaked pages of the report, however for all communities discovered to be underrepresented.
Talking completely to News18, Hegde hit again at critics who claimed the survey was “unscientific” or “manipulated”, and mentioned he’s looking forward to the report back to be accepted in full by the cupboard. “If there’s any error, it might probably all the time be reviewed and corrected. However the report should first be learn and understood earlier than it’s maligned or challenged like this,” he mentioned.
A big a part of the controversy has centred across the proposal to extend Muslim reservation from 4 per cent to eight per cent. Hegde categorically denied that the rise advantages just one neighborhood. “It’s not simply Muslims. Each neighborhood has been given extra. I can’t reveal actual particulars until the cupboard takes a choice, however this isn’t about percentages alone. After the survey, we shaped an professional committee which gave indicators primarily based on the info and assigned weightage to each household. Based mostly on that, communities had been positioned into applicable classes. It has been carried out scientifically.”
Hegde clarified that the socio-economic and academic survey, carried out in 2014-15, was carried out below the management of then chairman H Kantharaj and executed by educated officers and lecturers below the supervision of deputy commissioners. The information was submitted to BEL (Bharat Electronics Restricted), which compiled the ultimate report. “BEL has the password. We can’t even entry the total knowledge with out it. For the fee to look at particulars, we have to take that from them,” Hegde mentioned.
Responding to widespread criticism that the info was collected in an unscientific method, Hegde was blunt: “What’s scientific and what’s unscientific? Who’s saying this? Who has learn the report? Is there any concrete foundation for these complaints? Simply to oppose one thing, individuals are throwing round baseless allegations. If anybody has a selected situation, I’m open to correcting it. However don’t criticise with out details.”
Hegde additionally addressed questions in regards to the relevance of the info, on condition that the census was carried out a decade in the past. “The central census was final carried out in 2011. This was carried out later, in 2014-15. Even elections right now are carried out primarily based on 2011 knowledge. The final caste census earlier than this was in 1932. All different commissions labored on pattern surveys. That is essentially the most full effort carried out thus far — it covers 5.98 crore individuals. There could also be a 5 per cent margin, I agree. However that may be adjusted. Projections may be made,” he defined.
On whether or not he expects the report back to be accepted as it’s, Hegde mentioned, “I hope so. I need it to be accepted. If there’s a mistake, let or not it’s up to date. I’m open to reviewing it, however to not rumours.”
The demand for a cupboard sub-committee to assessment the report was additionally met with cautious criticism. “I hope they at the least learn the report earlier than establishing any sub-committee. The one main dispute proper now’s in regards to the inhabitants numbers. That’s the place the talk is.”
When requested in regards to the caste-wise breakdown and the uproar from Lingayat and Vokkaliga leaders, Hegde mentioned the info does present Scheduled Castes as the one largest group. “That’s potential. SCs are unfold throughout each village in Karnataka. Vokkaligas and Lingayats are concentrated particularly areas. In the event that they had been unfold uniformly, their numbers might need been greater. Additionally, in some circumstances, sub-castes amongst Lingayats could have declared themselves individually to assert 2A advantages. So, they weren’t recorded as Lingayat or Veerashaiva. That may be checked once more. There’s scope to replace. The fee is everlasting — it has the authority to try this.”
He additionally dismissed options that Vokkaligas had been damaged up into smaller models to scale back their political weight. “No, they’ve seen the report. They know that each sub-caste has been included below the primary caste record. Now we have not divided them. These are baseless claims. I request individuals to not remark casually. Learn the report earlier than commenting. Don’t depend on misinformation.”
With deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar holding back-to-back conferences with Vokkaliga and Lingayat leaders, a few of whom have raised doubts in regards to the authenticity of the numbers, Hegde insisted the method was not tampered with. “Let me say this once more — the survey has not damaged down castes to scale back numbers. It has introduced each sub-caste into the fold. There is no such thing as a division, no distortion. The information is unbroken. Don’t shoot from the hip primarily based on rumour.”
Hegde additionally addressed the contentious situation of reservations exceeding the 50 per cent cap. “That ceiling has already been breached. The EWS quota added 10 per cent, and the BJP authorities additionally elevated SC/ST quota by 6 per cent. That’s already past 50 per cent. Now we’ve empirical knowledge. The Indra Sawhney case says — give us empirical knowledge and you’ll increase reservations. Now we have it now. If the fee or the federal government makes use of it to revise quotas, what’s mistaken with it? Let the courts determine.”
Requested what he thinks will occur as soon as the report is made public, Hegde mentioned: “I don’t suppose anybody will oppose it as soon as it’s out. Proper now, individuals are commenting primarily based on leaks and rumours. That’s not acceptable. Let it come out. Let there be a dialogue. If there’s a mistake, we’re right here to set it proper.”
Would he desire a assessment, a recalibration, or for the report back to be scrapped altogether? Hegde was clear. “I’m hoping it will likely be accepted. Let the federal government settle for it first. Then let individuals focus on it. If there are points, allow them to make a illustration. We will appropriate it. However no resolution ought to be taken primarily based on rumours.”
And what in regards to the lengthy delay in tabling the report? “I submitted it on February 29 final yr. After that, it was the federal government’s name. I can’t pressure them to take a choice,” he mentioned.
As Karnataka waits to see what the cupboard decides in the course of the essential assembly to be held on April 17 when the caste census will probably be mentioned intimately, Hegde’s message is easy — learn the report, debate it if wanted, however don’t discard it primarily based on political noise and misinformation.
