VIJAYAPURA
Akhil Bharatiya Valmiki Samaj Seva Sangh has submitted a petition to the Vijayapura District Magistrate Anand K and the Deputy SP of the Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate alleging misuse of caste certificates in Devara Hipparagi taluk. They have demanded criminal action against those who allegedly issued and obtained fake caste certificates in the names of Scheduled Tribe Valmiki community instead of the Kabbaliga community, which falls under Category 1 of backward classes.
The petition mentions that individuals from Kondagooli village including Mahantesh Lachchappa Basavapattana and Rahula Lachchappa Basavapattana are involved in the case of obtaining Valmiki caste certificates despite belonging to the Kabbaliga community. State president Mallikarjun Batagi said that large-scale irregularities have taken place in issuing thousands of fake caste certificates across Vijayapura district affecting genuine Valmiki community members. He alleged that political influence and negligence by officials have allowed misuse of reservation benefits and government welfare schemes meant for Scheduled Tribes and backward classes. They have urged the district administration to register criminal cases against all persons involved and recover benefits wrongly obtained through fraudulent certificates. They warned that if action is not taken soon they will stage protests and gherao the District Collector’s office seeking justice for the affected community.
Representatives said that repeated complaints have already been submitted earlier to authorities but no concrete action has been initiated so far despite evidence being provided. The issue has raised serious concern in the district as locals demand transparency in issuing caste certificates and strict monitoring to prevent misuse of government reservation benefits meant for eligible communities.