Congress imbibed ‘equal life equal share’ philosophy of Basavanna: Deputy CM Shivakumar on caste census report

BENGALURU: Stating that the Congress party has imbibed the 12th-century saint poet and social reformer Basavanna’s philosophy of ‘equal life equal share,’Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said that the party would ensure justice for all.

Responding to reporters at Mahalakshmi Layout (also known as Mahalakshmipuram) about JD(S) leader and Union Minister Kumaraswamy terming the state government’s caste census report a “hate census,” he slammed the former CM “who talks big.”

“He (Kumaraswamy) is a big man who talks big. He talks as per his convenience. Our party has its own philosophy and it has taken certain decisions. Our government will decide on things based on our larger stance,” Shivakumar said,

Asked about the forthcoming meeting of Vokkaliga legislators, he said, “As a representative of the community, I would like to discuss with our legislators on how to present the community’s case in the Cabinet meeting. I am not a know-all expert on this, I would like to seek the opinions and suggestions of seniors from the community. I will not talk about this before the media.”

Earlier today, Shivakumar called for a meeting of Vokkaliga legislators from the Congress Party to discuss the caste census.

“We will collect the opinion of Vokkaliga legislators on the caste census during the meeting. I haven’t gone through the entire caste census report, we are studying it. I would discuss the census with the legislators and advise them to respect the sentiments of all communities,” he said.

Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that the Caste Census report will be discussed in a special cabinet meeting on April 17 and after that in the state assembly too and soon everybody can go through it and give suggestions.

“JD(S) and BJP people are asking for re-survey. (BY) Vijayendra (State president of BJP Karnataka and MLA of Shikaripura) suggested throwing it (the caste census report) in the dustbin. Who ruled the state from 2019 to 2023? H Kantharaju was nominated by the Congress government, and Jayaprakash Hegde was nominated by the BJP government. What were they doing for 4 years and in the 1 year of coalition government?…,” Reddy told ANI.