Bengaluru, 16 SEPT 

State BJP President BY Vijayendra on Tuesday alleged that the agenda of the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government behind the “caste census” is to divide the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community in the State.

BJP leaders from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, like former chief ministers BS Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai, Jagadish Shettar, and Union Minister of State V Somanna, among others, held a meeting to discuss the strategy ahead of the caste census.

The State’s Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as the caste census, will be conducted between 22 September and 7 October at an estimated cost of Rs 420 crore.

“Senior leaders of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community met today and discussed in detail the caste census, which the State government is planning to carry out. Firstly, the state government has no authority, nor is there a legal provision for the government to do the caste census, but in the name of a socio-economic survey, the Siddaramaiah government is trying to do it,” Vijayendra said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the agenda of the Siddaramaiah government is to divide the Hindu religion, the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.

He said that senior leaders have been given the responsibility to hold discussions with the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha (considered the apex body of the community) and senior seers of the community, stating that they have decided to ensure that the community stays united in the days to come. 

Meanwhile, Members of Samajika Nyaya Jagruti Vedike, including MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, lead a Rajbhavan Chalo march and submit a Memorandum objecting to the caste-survey in Bengaluru.