The Cabinet meeting on Thursday, April 17, to discuss the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (caste census) remained inconclusive, with the Karnataka government announcing that a final decision would be taken only on May 2.
Through the day the media breathlessly reported on political developments regarding the caste census even as Lingayat ministers in the Karnataka cabinet held a separate meeting to discuss their stance. The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah was only held late on Thursday night.
According to reports, the Ministers were unwilling for an open discussion, following which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had asked his Cabinet colleagues to submit in writing their opinion on the survey, even if it was a dissent note. He even assured them that the survey would be beneficial to all communities.
Addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, Minister for Law HK Patil said that various aspects of the report were discussed and that it was decided that a final decision on the report would be taken during the Cabinet meeting on May 2.
“The discussion remained incomplete, but it was cordial. Ministers felt that more details were needed to be discussed to arrive at a decision. They have sought details on population and backwardness,” the Minister said.
Patil said that there was a need to obtain a better understanding of the technical and other aspects of the Socio-Economic Survey and so senior bureaucrats had been directed to provide more information during the next meeting on April 24 at the Malemahadeshwara Hills.
The Law Minister said that there was a misconception about the population of various communities. He said that the survey had covered around 94.17% of the state. Tabling the report had also been considered, he said.
Earlier in the day Lingayat ministers in the state government held a separate meeting at Industries Minister MB Patil’s house.
The 33-member Siddaramaiah cabinet includes seven Lingayat ministers and six Vokkaligas.
Lingayat ministers include Eshwar Khandre, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, Shivanand Patil, SS Mallikarjun, MB Patil and Laxmi Hebbalkar, Sharanprakash Patil.
Vokkaliga ministers include HK Patil, Krishna Byre Gowda, N Cheluvarayaswamy, K Venkatesh, Ramalinga Reddy and MC Sudhakar.
The days running up to the Cabinet meeting saw caste associations of Lingayats, Vokkaligas and Brahmins repeat their claims that the survey had undercounted their respective communities. The Rajya Vokkaligara Sangha has threatened to call for a state-wide shutdown if the caste census report is accepted.
Meanwhile, Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi has been saying that a special legislature session should be called to discuss the caste census.