
Karnataka dominant communities join forces to oppose caste survey report
Kenchappa Gowda, president of the Vokkaligara Sangha, confirmed ongoing discussions between the two communities.'We are in constant touch with Veerashaiva Mahasabha leaders. We are planning to hold a meeting, but the date has not been finalised yet,' Gowda told news agency PTI.A Veerashaiva Mahasabha office-bearer also echoed this sentiment, adding that the talks are focused on devising strategies to pressurise the government into reconsidering the caste census report.'The discussions are mainly to decide strategies to build pressure on the government not to proceed with the caste census report recommendations and to demand a fresh, free, and fair survey,' the office-bearer stated, requesting anonymity.The caste census report, which was presented to the Karnataka cabinet last month, has faced resistance from both the Vokkaligara Sangha and the Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities, two of the state's largest social groups. These communities argue that the report, after being commissioned ten years ago, does not adequately represent their interests and needs a thorough review.advertisementThe report, which was submitted to the state government by Jayaprakash Hegde, chairperson of the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission, has stirred significant controversy in the state. Following its presentation to the cabinet, a special meeting was called on April 17, where it was decided that the matter would be revisited at a cabinet meeting scheduled for May 2.
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New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Veerashaiva-Lingayat seers unite after 30 years
DAVANAGERE: The five seers of Veerashaiva-Lingayat community are coming together for the first time in three decades for the two-day 'Shrunga Sammelan' starting from Monday in the city. The convention will bring together heads of Balehonnuru, Kedara, Ujjain, Rambhapuri and Srisailam peethas. In a press release, head of Balehonnuru Peetha, Dr Veerasomeshwara Jagadguru said the meeting will discuss various issues, including action to be initiated by the community during the caste census. The programme will be inaugurated on Monday at 11 am. Union Minister V Somanna, Ministers SS Mallikarjun, Eshwara Khandre, MB Patil, former chief ministers BS Yediyurappa, Jagadish Shettar, Basavaraj Bommai, president of Akhil Bharath Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha and former minister Dr Shamanur Shivashankarappa and vice- president of Akhil Bharath Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha Athani Veeranna will attend the convention. The convention is expected to adopt a resolution on the caste census. Former MLA HS Shivashankar said the convention is a good augury for the development of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. A large number of devotees from Davanagere district and other parts of the state are expected to attend the convention. Apart from various cultural events, a mega procession will be held in the city on Tuesday.


Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
SIT will be set up if necessary based on police report on Dharmasthala case, says CM
Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the government would take appropriate action in regard to the allegations of mass burials and sexual assaults in Dharmasthala, including the possible formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), based on the findings of the police department. SIT will be set up if necessary based on police report on Dharmasthala case, says CM 'If SIT is necessary, it will be constituted. It will be based on the police department's report. The individual was absconding for 10 years; he has now made a statement before the police and has said whatever he has to. He has said that he is the one who has buried the dead bodies and that he will show the spot where they are buried. Let's see what the police say in a couple of days,' the chief minister said, referring to the key anonymous witness whose claims sparked the controversy. The chief minister maintained that his administration was not under any external pressure. 'Even if the pressure is put, we will not heed to anything, we will do things in accordance with law,' he said. Siddaramaiah's remarks came in the backdrop of a public appeal by retired Supreme Court judge justice V Gopala Gowda, who urged the government to immediately set up a SIT under judicial supervision. He also called for full state protection for the key witness and his legal team. 'The state must immediately guarantee protection to the whistleblower and his legal team. If anything happens to them, the home minister and the DGP will be directly responsible,' justice Gowda said on Thursday, raising concerns about procedural irregularities and intimidation by investigators. Justice Gowda further called for the removal of the current investigation officers and stressed that a new probe must be conducted under the supervision of a sitting or retired high court or Supreme Court judge. 'The investigating officer is calling outsiders while recording the statement and is asking questions as instructed by them. This is unacceptable and dangerous for the truth. A new SIT under judicial oversight is the only way forward,' he said. Meanwhile, lawyers representing the whistleblower submitted a detailed memorandum to chief minister Siddaramaiah, home minister G Parameshwara, the Karnataka director general of police (DGP), the Chief Justice of India, and the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court. The memorandum accused local police officials of colluding with external parties, leaking confidential details from the case, and attempting to derail the investigation. The legal team claimed that the whistleblower's statement, recorded on July 14, had surfaced in a YouTube video that remained online for more than 11 hours. 'This video features an individual who openly claims that the information was provided to him directly by police insiders. Neither our client Sri V nor our legal team have any link whatsoever with this individual. This leak proves beyond doubt that serving officers connected with the probe are wilfully compromising it by sharing sensitive leads with unauthorised third parties,' the petition stated. The case revolves around the claims of a former sanitation worker from Dharmasthala who alleged that, over a span of years, he was forced to bury the bodies of women and children in and around the temple town. Based on his testimony, the state police registered a case and said they would exhume remains near the Nethravathi river.


New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
Conduct caste census on Telangana model: Congress OBC Council to Centre
BENGALURU: AT the inaugural meeting of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) OBC Advisory Council, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared the proceedings a 'resounding success,' describing it as a significant milestone in the Congress' ongoing commitment to social justice. The event marked the adoption of the Bengaluru Declaration, a document outlining the Congress' policy roadmap for empowering backward classes and marginalised communities across India. The committee called for a nationwide caste census to be conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI), modelled on Telangana's SEEEP Caste Survey. WhileKarnataka's Kantharaj Commission faced criticism — particularly from Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities — for lacking scientific robustness, the Telangana model has been praised for including extensive socio-economic, educational, and occupational parameters. The Congress leadership emphasised that such a survey must go beyond mere enumeration and function as a tool to address systemic inequalities across communities. Addressing the media, Siddaramaiah lauded LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's unwavering commitment to social justice, describing him as a 'justice warrior' whose fearless leadership compelled the Union Government to consider a nationwide caste census. 'Rahul Gandhi's bold and principled stance forced the Manuvadi Modi government to acknowledge the constitutional demand for a caste census,' the Chief Minister said, crediting Rahul for revitalising the national conversation around equity and representation. The declaration also mentioned relaxation of the 50% cap on reservations to enable appropriate representation for backward classes in education, employment, and politics and implement reservations in private educational institutions as per Article 15(5) of the Constitution. Siddaramaiah also reaffirmed Karnataka's legacy as the first Indian state to conduct a caste census since 1931, branding it the 'Karnataka Model.' He recalled that the original survey, ordered during his 2015 term, faced delays due to political resistance. In 2018, when the socio-economic and educational survey report was ready, then CM HD Kumaraswamy allegedly instructed his ministers not to accept it, despite extensions granted by the Backward Classes Commission, Siddaramiah said. 'Subsequent BJP-led governments also failed to act on the report. Eventually, a fresh report was submitted under the chairmanship of Jayaprakash Hegde. Now, as per a recent cabinet decision, the commission has been directed to conduct a re-survey within three months,' Siddaramaiah said, adding that the findings will be implemented without delay.