Veerashaiva-Lingayats, Vokkaligas Prepare for Backward Classes Census

FOLLOWING the release of the latest Backward Classes Commission handbook, Karnataka's two dominant communities—the Veerashaiva-Lingayats and Vokkaligas—are holding preparatory meetings at the district and taluk levels to ensure their numbers are fairly represented.

- BANSY KALAPPA @ Bengaluru

Some leaders allege there are repetitions in the caste and sub-caste listings.

Renuka Prasanna, Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha secretary, voiced strong concern over the new list, which expands the number of sub-castes from 79 in the previous edition to 139. However, he claims the increase is deceptive—many entries are repetitions or variations of the same caste under different codes and spellings. They plan to address the media on these issues shortly, he told TNIE.