Bengaluru, Aug 7 (IANS) Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the Congress government in Karnataka conducted a socio-economic survey, and the ruling dispensation is committed to implementing it to deliver social justice.
The Chief Minister made the statement on Friday while inaugurating the 11th National Convention of the National OBC Mahasangh at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium in Bengaluru.
The statement is likely to stir controversy and bring the controversial caste census issue to the forefront in Karnataka.
"We are moving forward on the principle of equal life and equal share for all. The discussion on equality existed even during the British period. Hence, a caste census was conducted around 1931. Our leaders, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, are committed to conducting this caste census.
Through this, equal opportunities should be given to all sections of society. Today, constitutional rights have been given to every community. Karnataka has a separate Department of Backward Classes, and funds will be provided for it. We are listening to the voice of this section. Two-thirds of the ministers in our cabinet belong to the backward classes, scheduled castes/tribes, and minorities. This is the guidance given to Hariprasad and me by our leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge," he stated.
"OBC reservation was provided during the time of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. This is the history of Karnataka state. Backward classes make up 52 per cent of the population in the country. You have built this country through your ability, art, and knowledge. You are the builders of this nation. We are aware of your demands," Shivakumar said.
"We are also providing reservation in local bodies. During the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, I asked Rajiv Gandhi why this amendment was necessary. He said leaders must be prepared from the panchayat level to parliament.
He told me that a true leader is one who creates other leaders. His desire was that people from all sections of society should become leaders. A caste census is necessary in this country, and the central government has initiated a door-to-door census. The gap must be reduced through a caste census," he said.
"Under the leadership of Babanrao, the National OBC Mahasangh is working for your rights without any political motive. We are committed to fulfilling your aspirations. We are bound by the ideology of the Congress party, the principles of Basavanna, and the interest of the nation. You must spread the message across the country that Karnataka has a government that responds to the voice of the backward classes," the Chief Minister said.
"If you want to protect your interests at the national level, you must stand with our party. Only the Congress party, which brought freedom to the country, can take everyone along. When the position of Prime Minister came to Sonia Gandhi, she stated in the nation's interest that economic expert Manmohan Singh should become the Prime Minister.
During his tenure, reforms in education, the Food Security Act, and employment guarantee schemes were introduced. It was the Congress government that provided these. If amendments were implemented to protect the interests of all sections, it was done only by the Congress government. Support the Congress party so that the demands of the OBC Mahasangh receive recognition," he stated.
--IANS
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