AHINDA groups urge Rahul Gandhi to rein in Congress MLAs opposing caste census report in Karnataka

LoP in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

AHINDA groups have launched a campaign of writing letters to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urging him to caution party legislators in Karnataka from opposing implementation of the report of the Socio Economic and Educational Survey, popularly called ‘caste census’. The survey was conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.

Under the aegis of Karnataka State Backward Classes Awareness Forum, the AHINDA groups have sent letters to Mr. Gandhi, who is also Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, through e-mail and post cards as part of the campaign, seeking his intervention in the matter.

In its letter to Mr. Gandhi, the forum pointed out that the primary objective of the survey was to understand the socio-economic and educational condition of all communities through statistical data to ensure social justice for all. The survey, which was conducted scientifically at a cost of approximately ₹180 crore, reflecting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s social commitment and concern for the oppressed sections, has been presented and discussed in the Cabinet.

“However, it is deeply saddening that senior Congress MLAs, such as Shamanur Shivashankarappa and a few others, are opposing this report. Moreover, these MLAs and some leaders have made extremely derogatory statements about the report and AHINDA (an acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits),” the letter states.

“They are demanding that the report be discarded entirely, causing great distress among all the AHINDA sections,” the forum pointed out.

The report consolidates statistical data not only on the population, but also on the social, economic and educational status of AHINDA communities, the letter states while adding that the caste census report has recommended categorisation of reservation while also increasing reservation for various sections.

“Based on the statistics in this report, the government will be able to provide political, social and educational representation to the AHINDA communities. However, it is truly unfortunate that some Congress MLAs are opposing this,” the letter states.

Pointing out that AHINDA communities are the backbone of the Congress party support base, the letter reminds Mr. Gandhi that the party, in its manifesto, promised to implement the caste census across India. “In this light, the AHINDA communities believe the Congress party will uphold the banner of social justice”. The forum has taken exception to the ‘highly inappropriate’ actions of a few senior party MLAs, who were going ‘against this belief’.

Contending that the behaviour of these Congress leaders in Karnataka is causing grave injustice to AHINDA communities, the letter warned that the party may face anger and backlash from these communities if implementation of the report is delayed or hindered.

“Hence, we appeal through this letter campaign that you kindly direct Congress MLAs and leaders in Karnataka to make room for implementation of the report, and correct minor flaws, if any,” the letter states.

The forum’s president K. S. Shivaram is among those who have written to Mr. Gandhi.