Politically-influential Lingayats in Karnataka call 'caste census' unscientific, demand fresh survey
Bengaluru, Nov 9: After Vokkaligas, now Lingayats, the other dominant community in Karnataka, too on Thursday expressed disapproval of the Socio-Economic and Education Survey, popularly known as the 'caste census', calling it unscientific, and demanded a fresh survey.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, which is the apex body of Veerashaiva Lingayats.
In 2015, the then Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had commissioned the Socio-Economic and Education Survey at an estimated cost of Rs 170 crore in the state, the findings of which have not been made public yet.
The state Backward Classes Commission under its then chairperson H Kantharaj was tasked with preparing the caste census report.
After the Bihar government released findings of its caste survey recently, pressure is now mounting on the Siddaramaiah government, from certain sections, to make public the state's Socio-Economic and Education Survey. The Karnataka chief minister had recently said a decision would be taken once he receives the report -- which is expected later this month.
However, with the strong disapproval of two dominant communities, the issue may turn out to be a political hot potato for the Congress government, as it may set the stage for a confrontation, with Dalits and OBCs among others demanding for it to be made public.
"No we are not happy, it is not scientific. It was done sitting here; they had not visited houses. It was done eight years ago. So, our opinion is that it should be done once again scientifically," Mahasabha President Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, who is a veteran Congress leader and MLA, said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said there are complaints that those who conducted the survey did not visit houses to collect the data. He also shared the community's concern stating, "There are reports that Lingayat population has been shown as smaller in the survey."
"So, using modern technology, a fresh census (survey) has to be done. This is our opinion," he said, adding that Lingayats are not opposed to the caste census, but want it to be scientific.
Last week, Vokkaliga leaders at a meeting that was also attended by Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and seers from the community, had passed a resolution urging the government to "reject" the caste census.
However, federations representing Dalits, tribal people and other backward classes (OBC) on Wednesday demanded that the findings of the caste census, kept under wraps, be made public.
Accusing both the dominant communities of trying to block the caste census from coming out, leaders of the Karnataka State Backward Castes Federation and the Karnataka Marginalised Communities Federation threatened to hold agitations.
To a question about some persons claiming that this is not a caste census, Shivashankarappa said, "Yes, it is a Socio-Economic and Education Survey; it is not the caste census. So let the new caste census be done."
Asked if there will be joint agitation, with Vokkaligas too disapproving of the survey, he said, "Let's see...we will decide about the agitation in the future."
When it was pointed out that the government would get the survey report from the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes this month, the Lingayat leader said, "Let them get the report...but it should not be accepted or revealed."
Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Chairperson K Jayaprakash Hegde last month said he would submit the caste census report to the state government in November.
According to some analysts, successive governments have been shying away from releasing it as the findings of the survey are allegedly contrary to the "traditional perception" of the numerical strength of various castes in Karnataka, especially the dominant Lingayats and Vokkaligas, making it a political hot potato.
Political parties in the state have indulged in a blame game for not accepting the survey and not making it public.
Officials have also cited the then member-secretary of the State Commission for Backward Classes not signing the final report as the technical hurdle that has hindered the release of the report.
They said the caste census report is currently with the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, and once it submits it, the cabinet would take a call.
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BJP accuses Karnataka govt of 'failing' to prevent noise pollution caused by 'azaan'
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Members of the Opposition BJP on Tuesday slammed the Karnataka government for not taking measures to prevent the alleged noise pollution caused by 'azaan', the Islamic call to prayer.
BJP MLC D S Arun raised the issue in the Legislative Council during the question hour, accusing the ruling Congress of "appeasement" by failing to take action against mosques that are violating the Supreme Court's directives.
Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, responding to the question, said, as per the directives of the Supreme Court in sensitive zones, the noise level should not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night, and in residential areas, 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
In commercial areas, the noise should not exceed 65 decibels during the day, 55 at night, and in industrial areas, 75 during the day and at night 70 decibels, he said.
Pointing out that the Karnataka government had issued an order in 2022, assigning responsibility to a committee headed by a DySPs or ACPs for the effective implementation of the rules, the minister said when a complaint is received about noise pollution, the Pollution Control Board will inspect it and provide information about the decibel level to the police to take further action, including filing of criminal cases.
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"Not only during azaan, but also during bhajans held in temples and marriage events, among others, the violations happen. There is a need to spread awareness. The Supreme Court has ordered against bursting firecrackers, but it is being violated. Efforts will be made to implement the rules effectively," he said.
Several BJP MLAs, including Arun, Bharathi Shetty, among others, were not satisfied with the minister's reply. They took strong exception to it.
Arun noted that in the last three years, only 52 cases have been taken, and said there are clear violations by almost all mosques, but no action has been taken. "The decibels have in fact increased under this government. The government is giving protection to them."
Reacting to this, Khandre, calling it a "sensitive matter", said, "It is not right to politicise the issue. The law of this land is equal for everyone."
Hitting back, Arun asked, "Why is the matter sensitive? What is preventing you (the government) from implementing the Supreme Court directives?"
