Karnataka Caste Census: Opposition to caste census in Karnataka, Vokkaligaara Sangha warns of agitation.

Opposition to caste-based census has intensified in Karnataka. Vokkaligaara Sangha has warned of agitation. The caste-based census report was presented before the cabinet on Friday. It will be discussed in a special cabinet meeting to be held on April 17.

Demand to increase reservation for backward communities

It is worth noting that in this report, it has been recommended to increase the reservation for backward communities from the current 32 percent to 51 percent. Political parties, including some leaders of the ruling Congress, have also termed it unscientific and have demanded a fresh survey. Ministers from various castes, especially the dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, are preparing to put forth their objections during the next cabinet.

Considering a big movement if caste census is implemented

Kenchappa Gowda, president of Vokkaliga Sangha, an organization of the Vokkaliga community, said that if the government implements the caste census report, they will consider a big movement. The Sangha has also planned to conduct its survey to determine the population of the community and has also developed software for it.

Nelligere Babu, director of the association, said they wanted to send a message to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that his government would fall if he implemented the caste census report. The report puts the population of the Lingayat community at 66.35 lakh and that of the Vokkaliga community at 61.58 lakh. Several Lingayat ministers and MLAs have also raised objections.

The backward caste population in the state is 70 percent

According to sources, the caste-based census has revealed that the backward caste population in the state is 70 percent. Providing 51 percent reservation to OBCs along with the existing 17 percent for Scheduled Castes and seven percent for Scheduled Tribes will take the state's total reservation to 75 percent.