BENGALURU:
Shamanur Shivashankarappa, the president of All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha and a senior MLA, has criticized the caste census report conducted by the State Backward Classes Commission, calling it unscientific. He believes that a new scientific survey should be conducted to address this issue.
During a press conference held at the Akhil Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha office on Palace Road on Saturday, Shivashankarappa expressed his opinion that the caste census report conducted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission was inaccurate.
“We are protesting against the caste census due to its numerous omissions. The report itself is quite revealing. Furthermore, the survey failed to include the categories of Lingayat and Veerashaiva,” he stated. Shivashankarappa emphasized that there is widespread opposition to this flawed survey report, which contains many loopholes.
He also mentioned that he will be meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to discuss this matter. In a sarcastic remark, he added that those who advocated for a separate Lingayat religion were unsuccessful, while those who solely focused on the Lingayat community were left disappointed.
In response to Congress MLA Basavaraja Rayareddy’s statement that discussing caste was inappropriate, Shivashankarappa criticized him for making similar remarks in the past. He also expressed his frustration at not being considered for a cabinet position.
