India, April 14 -- Amid the ongoing caste census debate, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said that communities were trying to protect their interests, and there was nothing wrong with that.

"Veerashaiva Mahasabha is trying to protect its community's interests, why should we criticise them? They can put forward their stand as per the Constitutional provisions," he said while referring to the criticism of the caste census by Shamanur Shivashankarappa, news agency ANI reported.

Shivakumar was replying to a question on Veerashaiva Mahasabha forming an experts' committee to study the caste census.

"The Chief Minister has informed that a discussion would be allowed on the caste census in the Legislative Assembly. It i...