In Shivamogga, Karnataka, villagers are refusing to participate in the state's ongoing Social and Educational Survey (caste survey) until a network tower is installed in their area. The Karnataka caste survey, which began on September 22, is scheduled to finish on October 7 (Tuesday).
Shashikumar, a resident of the Barur Gram Panchayat area, emphasised that while he doesn't object to the survey itself, obtaining a network tower is an urgent requirement, stating that previous requests for a tower have allegedly been ignored for over three years. The Tehsildar of Sagar Taluk has reportedly given the villagers assurances that their demands will be addressed within three days.
"There is a network problem in three or four villages in our Barur Gram Panchayat area. We are fighting for the network. We boycotted the elections before, too. At that time, the EO of the Taluk Panchayat came and promised to solve the problem. Who hasn't been responding to our network problem for three years? The state government is conducting a socio-educational and economic survey. We have no objection to that," he told the media.
People from at least four villages under the Barur Gram Panchayat of Sagar Taluk — Barur, Kallukoppa, Theppagodu, and Mulukeri — held banners and protested outside the gram panchayat office.
Shashikumar further stated that despite officials being instructed to conduct a door-to-door survey, the villagers were instead asked to come to the panchayat office to provide their personal details.
"The government has instructed the officials to go door to door and conduct a survey, but they are saying that [villagers] should come to the Gram Panchayat and provide information. We are opposed to it, we have already formed a net committee and are fighting for it, and we are also holding a dharna at the Gram Panchayat premises," he explained.
Shashikumar confirmed that the Sagar Tehsildar met with them to discuss their problems and assured them that their demands would be resolved within three days, leading to the temporary suspension of the local protest (dharna).
"The Sagar Tehsildar has arrived at the spot and informed us that he will discuss your problem with BSNL officials within three days and resolve it. We have temporarily called off the dharna. If the problem is not resolved, a fierce struggle will be launched," he warned.
Earlier on Sunday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the previous caste census was inaccurate, which is why the state government has approved a new survey. Speaking to the media, DK Shivakumar said: "Anyone may express objections to the caste census. However, this survey needs to be conducted... There is no meaning in opposing the survey."
Before this, on October 3, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reaffirmed his government's dedication to completing the ongoing caste census, suggesting the survey work would likely be finished by October 7.
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