Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, April 17: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H D Kumaraswamy, on Thursday firmly stated that under no circumstances should the leaked caste census report be presented before the Karnataka Cabinet.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has convened a special Cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday at 4 pm to deliberate on the caste census report.
Reacting to the unauthorised leak of the caste census data, Kumaraswamy questioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying, “Who systematically leaked the report before it was officially released? Whose hidden hand is behind it? And what do you plan to do with this data that has now ended up on the streets?”
He added, “Dear Chief Minister… there must be an investigation into the leak without fail. Was the leak facilitated from the commission? Or did it happen after the report reached the hands of ministers in the Cabinet? Or was it the doing of your own gang?”
“Will you take a decision on the investigation in the Cabinet meeting? You must answer this,” Kumaraswamy demanded.
“Your government is solely responsible for the leak — there’s no doubt about it. Under no circumstances should this leaked report be tabled in the Cabinet. Don’t destroy the sanctity of the Cabinet by presenting it,” he urged.
Kumaraswamy asserted that previous suspicions had now been confirmed — the Karnataka government had indeed conducted a caste census.
“But now, Mr Siddaramaiah is doing a complete U-turn! He’s now blowing a new trumpet saying, ‘It’s not a caste census… it’s an educational and economic survey.’ If that’s the case, what about the figures floating around on the streets? Are the leaked data the same as the so-called educational and economic survey data that the CM mentioned? Or is it not?” Kumaraswamy questioned.
“You (CM Siddaramaiah) have set fire to a peaceful state, and sown seeds of poison among communities. This is the peak of your ill-intentions and wickedness. The sin of setting fire to the garden of harmony among all communities will not be forgiven easily,” Kumaraswamy warned.
The caste census report, which was submitted by the Backward Classes Commission to the Congress-led government, has pegged the Muslim population in the state at 18.08 per cent and has reportedly recommended 8 per cent reservation for the community, according to sources.
Amid stiff opposition from influential caste groups and even some Congress MLAs, the state Cabinet is set to discuss the caste census report.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Oppressed Communities has issued a warning, stating that Karnataka does not belong solely to the forward castes. It has threatened open rebellion on the streets across the state if the report is not made public.