Bengaluru: Prominent Vokkaliga seers and political functionaries Saturday urged the Congress govt to postpone the 15-day socio-educational survey, warning that the short timeframe coinciding with Navaratri festivities would make the exercise impractical.The appeal was made at an awareness meeting on the caste census held at Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt in Vijayanagar, chaired by pontiff Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swami.“The caste census cannot be completed in 15 days, especially since the state will be celebrating the Navratri festival. More time should be given for the survey. To ensure it is conducted properly, people should also be given time to verify that their data is accurate. This facility should be made available online,” said Union minister of state Shobha Karandlaje.Opposition leader in the legislative assembly, R Ashoka, said, “Under no circumstances should our community be divided. The caste census cannot be completed within 15 days. During this time, the Dasara festival will be celebrated… People will be travelling during this period.”Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swami said the community supported the census but opposed the categories.Union minister HD Kumaraswamy cautioned, “If the govt commits injustice in the survey, we have also discussed the framework for a future struggle under the leadership of the seers. The govt has done everything required to cause unrest in the state. The consequences of this will be seen in the future.”Deputy CM DK Shivakumar promised the gathering that he would resolve all the issues of the survey.
