Mysore/Mysuru: The ‘Round Table Conference’ organised by the Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagruta Vedike, in association with Karnataka Unit of Bharatiya Dalita Sahitya Academy, seeking to make Karnataka Caste Census Report public, was held at Chikkammaniketana Community Hall in Kuvempunagar recently.

Speaking at the meeting, former Chairman of Karnataka Sahitya Academy Prof. Aravind Malagatti said that the Caste Census, commissioned by the Congress Government led by Siddharamaiah over five years ago, has been presented and is now in ‘safe custody’ of the Government.

Urging the Government to make the Caste Census Report public, Prof. Malagatti said that the report must be tabled at the Legislative Assembly and discussed in detail. 

He said that Siddharamaiah, as the Chief Minister, had assigned the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission, then headed by senior Counsel H. Kantharaj, with the task of carrying out ‘Socio-Economic and Education’ Survey in 2015.

Pointing out that the Survey, in which over one lakh Government personnel were involved in surveying more than 13.5 million households, had cost the Government Rs. 165 crore, he said that the Government must make the findings of the Report public in the interests of Backward Classes, who form a large part of the population.

Accusing the Yediyurappa Government of trying to junk the Report, Prof. Malagatti observed that the Government, instead of sanctioning funds to Mutts, must come forward for seeking a debate on the Report and implement the recommendations of the Report at the earliest.

Strongly backing the Report, he said that the implementation of the Report will be of huge benefit to Backward Classes and other sections of lower strata of the society as they will get access to educational, economical and social initiatives of the Government. It will also help in empowerment of the poor and the downtrodden, he added.

Former MLA M.K. Somashekar, former Mayors R. Ananth and Narayana, Congress leader M. Shivanna, theatre artiste Rajashekar Kadamba, Ediga Community leader M.K. Potharaj, Savitha Samaja leader N.R. Nagesh, DSS leader P. Raju,  Madivala Community leader Varuna Mahadev, Vedike President K.S. Shivaramu, Dalita Sahitya Academy President Dr. C. Venkatesh and others were present.