Shivakumar spoke outside the Suvarna Soudha in Belgaum

There should be no injustice in this process: DK Shivakumar

Upper caste people will be united internally: Priyank Kharge

Reports had emerged that among other leaders from the Vokkaliga and the Lingayat community, Deputy Chief Minister had also indicated to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, his opposition to the release of the caste census data, a demand that gained further traction after the data pertaining to this was released in Bihar. DK Shivakumar has now offered clarity with regard to his stance on the issue.

 He spoke outside the Suvarna Soudha in Belgaum. “We were the ones who initiated the census. We also poured in money for it. We will not say that we are opposed to it. There are  few discrepancies. Certain legislators and friends have informed me that they were not interviewed as part of the survey. There should be no injustice in this process. We have brought this to the Chief Minister’s attention. The Chief Minister has agreed to have a discussion on this,” he said. He affirmed his commitment to the issue. 

Earlier there appeared to be a discord within Congress as Minister of IT/BT Priyank Karge expressed disappointment at upper caste leaders across party lines preventing the caste census from materialising in the Rajya Sabha. “All upper caste people are united on this. Shivakumar is also opposing it, BJP is also opposing it. Both are one on this issue. Upper caste people will be united internally,” he said.