Former KPSC member criticizes Karnataka government's minority quota plans and caste census

Bengaluru

The Karnataka Congress government's proposal to implement a 5% reservation for minorities in government contracts and a 15% reservation in state government housing schemes, along with its decision to conduct a caste census, has drawn criticism from K. Mukudappa, former member of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Mukudappa asserted that all backward classes should be united, rather than being identified solely by caste. He argued that the government should not be limited to favoring only one caste. "We will hold meetings in every taluk and will not remain silent; we will continue our struggle," he stated.

Mukudappa claimed that the Kantharaju report on caste census was deeply flawed as it wasn't conducted through door-to-door surveys. He recalled that the 1952 Kaka Kalelkar report was also obstructed. He pointed out that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had advocated for reservations for all communities and had even threatened to resign from his ministerial post because the Hindu Code Bill and a permanent Backward Class Commission were not implemented. He questioned why former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi did not review this report, and why the Congress never made a backward class individual the Prime Minister.

He stressed that the caste census should include economically disadvantaged individuals from Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities. Mukudappa also reminded the audience that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar did not approve of Mahatma Gandhi and had advised against voting for the Congress. He challenged Rahul Gandhi to declare a Dalit as the Chief Minister, asserting that the Congress has historically not supported backward classes. He further questioned why the Congress, despite being in power for 36 years, never implemented a caste census.