Flaws in caste census report raise concerns among Lingayats

CH NEWS

Gadag

The caste census report has sparked controversy, with concerns over its fairness and accuracy. Dr. Siddarama Sri, the head of Tontadarya Mutt, voiced strong dissatisfaction with the report, claiming it has overlooked the Lingayat community.

The Swamiji insisted that the caste census be redone, highlighting that the current report has raised doubts among the public. "The caste census was prepared about seven or eight years ago. That caste census report is not adequate," he noted. There are accusations that the individuals who conducted the survey did not reach out to every citizen in Karnataka.

Lingayats are known to be in the majority in Karnataka, followed by other groups like the Vokkaligas. However, the census report shows a significant decrease in the Lingayat population, which may be due to the inclusion of sub-castes for reservations. Dr. Siddarama Sri emphasized that accepting a flawed report would lead to injustices across various sectors such as education, politics, employment, and agriculture. The omission of numerous sub-castes in the report was also a major concern.

"The reduction of the Lingayat number to 72 lakh in the report is very shocking," he said, pointing out the discrepancy. He urged the government to revise the report to ensure fairness for all communities. The Swamiji also questioned the purpose of the caste census, suggesting it might have been driven by ulterior motives. The Tontadarya Math, he concluded, stands firm on ensuring no caste faces discrimination. The Math will soon consult with community leaders to determine the next steps.