Mangaluru: Forum of Christian United Services recently submitted a memorandum to the Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim in connection with the inclusion of Roman Catholics and Protestants in the coming caste census at the DC office here on March 30.
Caste census is being done for the first time after 1931 and the task has been entrusted to the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes following a Supreme Court order.
As per the census form, among Christian there are 50 sub-castes such as Adi Andhra, Akkasaliga, Banjara, Bestaru, Billava, Brahmana, Ediga, Golla, Gowdi, Holeya, Jangama, Kamma, Kuruba, Lamani, Lambani, Madiga, Madiwala, Reddy and Syrian Christian, but there is no mention of major sub castes such as Roman catholic and Protestant. This may lead to future problems such as availing benefits to these castes.
Hence the forum demands that immediate action may be taken to include these sub castes in the form, if the inclusion is not possible at this stage, direction may be issued to the Census Officers to include these castes in the other column and also wide publicity may be given through the media so that people of these castes furnish correct information to the census officers.
Forum Convener Sushil Noronha, president M D’Souza, Secretary John D’Souza, Committee members, Basil Rodrigues, Alwyn Manohar, Pius D’Souza, Ashok and Roshan were also present.
