Congress to collapse in K'taka ? Siddaramaiah govt split as DKS signs petition against caste census
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In a clear split within the Congress, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday revealed that he has signed a petition urging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to junk the caste census, which is expected to be submitted soon.
This came a day after Siddaramaiah, in a tweet, said he is determined to implement the caste census findings in order to provide “justice to communities deprived of opportunities”. In the tweet, Siddaramaiah seconded Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s announcement that a nationwide caste census would be commissioned if his party wins the Lok Sabha polls.
However, Karnataka’s two dominant communities—Vokkaligas and Lingayats—have publicly taken a stand against the caste census that was commissioned by Siddaramaiah in 2015 during his first term in office.
Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar has signed a petition to junk the caste census.
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) November 22, 2023
Interesting Development.
Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, is a signatory to a petition submitted to Siddaramaiah by the Vokkaligara Sangha dated November 15. Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar has signed it, too.
Other signatories include veterans H D Deve Gowda, S M Krishna, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy, former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda and others.“
Politics is different. We want our community's self-respect to be protected,” Shivakumar said, justifying his signature on the petition. “MLAs and community leaders feel that the survey wasn’t done properly. It must be done scientifically,” he said.
Shivakumar said several communities have carried out agitations seeking benefits based on population. “STs, Panchamasali Lingayats, Veerashaivas, the SC (Left)...all of them want to protect their communities. Likewise, Vokkaligas are also fighting,” he said.On Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said that only a caste census could ensure equal opportunities. “Only then will the country’s independence be worthwhile,” he tweeted.
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