The Congress-led Karnataka government is under intense scrutiny and facing a political backlash from its traditional support base—AHINDA (a term coined by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself to represent minorities, backwards classes, and Dalits)—after the state abruptly decided to discard the decade-old Kantaraj Commission report and announced a new socio-educational survey. The move, viewed as a strategic attempt to appease dominant caste groups such as the Lingayats and Vokkaligas, has ignited a storm of criticism, with community leaders accusing the government of betrayal and caste-based appeasement.
Despite earlier indications that the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet was ready to approve the 10-year-old Kantaraj report, the proposal was withdrawn following strong opposition within the party and reportedly after intervention from the Congress high command. While Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities have welcomed the move, many in the AHINDA sections view it as a political compromise that undermines their long-standing demand for representation and justice.
The sentiment among these marginalised groups is one of betrayal. “When elections came, the Congress needed us. They came asking for our votes, promising justice and upliftment. But now that they are in power, they have abandoned us to please the dominant castes,” charged KM Ramachandrappa, chief convener of the Karnataka Dalit Organizations’ Federation. “What more proof do we need that this government is playing vote-bank politics? This is nothing short of a political betrayal,” he added.
Prominent voices within the AHINDA movement argue that the government’s sudden U-turn is not just disappointing but a dangerous precedent of political surrender to dominant caste lobbies. The BJP’s backwards class wing has also capitalised on the unrest, branding Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA initiative as nothing more than “a gimmick to secure votes.” According to them, the government’s true allegiance lies with the numerically strong and politically influential Lingayat and Vokkaliga groups.
Senior leader CM Ibrahim, once a close aide of Siddaramaiah, expressed his dismay in no uncertain terms. “Siddaramaiah claims this was a decision by the high command. But as the Chief Minister, shouldn’t he stand by his word? Conducting a new survey means wasting more taxpayer money and public resources. All this to keep the dominant castes happy?” Ibrahim questioned.
Adding fuel to the fire, Dalit leader Manjunath accused the Congress of abandoning the fight for social justice. “This isn’t about justice. This is about keeping the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities content. They were never strong supporters of the Congress to begin with. This decision proves the government has no real intention to uplift the oppressed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Vokkaliga community has not only welcomed the government’s decision to junk the Kantaraj report but has taken the matter into its own hands. The State Vokkaliga Association, under the leadership of B. Kenchappa Gowda, has announced an independent digital caste survey. This move, they say, is to ensure an accurate representation of the Vokkaliga population and to safeguard the community’s interests. The digital census will be conducted under the spiritual guidance of Nirmalanandanath Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math and is being framed as a neutral, apolitical exercise.
Despite reiterating that they are not opposed to a caste census, Vokkaliga leaders have warned that any policy built on “flawed or outdated” data will be strongly resisted. “We are not against the census. But let it be scientific and transparent. The old report is obsolete and unscientific,” Gowda stated, calling for the appointment of a retired judge to oversee the new survey and ensure impartiality.
Siddaramaiah’s reputation as a champion of AHINDA now hangs in the balance. His inability to secure consensus within his party on the Kantaraj report and his submission to the high command’s diktat has eroded confidence in his leadership among the very communities he vowed to uplift. Adding to the discontent, a crucial meeting of community leaders is expected to be held on either June 16 or 19 to outline a collective response to what is being widely viewed as a betrayal of marginalised groups.
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