What Sparked the Political Clash Over Caste Census in Karnataka?

Bengaluru, June 11 (NationPress) The announcement of a new survey concerning the contentious caste census report has ignited a fierce political clash between the BJP and Congress in Karnataka.

While BJP representatives have condemned the Congress for this initiative, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have staunchly defended it.

Addressing reporters in Delhi on Wednesday, Deputy CM Shivakumar posed the question, "Why is the BJP, which initially opposed the caste census, now contesting the state government's decision to clarify the caste census issues?"

In response to inquiries about the BJP’s discontent with the new survey, he remarked, "Weren't they previously against the caste census report? Why did they not endorse it? This report is not entirely dismissed. We are open to including details for those whose data may have been overlooked. We intend to build upon the existing report. Our goal is to deliver justice to communities and clear up any confusion."

When questioned about the scientific rigor of this new survey, he stated, "We will confer and reach a decision in the Cabinet meeting. Numerous communities, such as Jains, Lambani, and Besta, have approached me with their concerns. Our MLAs have also shared their insights. The prior survey adhered to scientific principles. Our officials conducted door-to-door surveys and distributed slips. Wasn't that a scientific approach? Last time, many individuals did not take this matter seriously and hesitated to disclose their community affiliations."

On the topic of internal reservations for Scheduled Castes, he mentioned, "Numerous advertisements have been circulated. Officials have visited homes multiple times and promoted it on social media. Online registration opportunities have been made available, including provisions for those living outside the state. Our party President, acting paternalistically, has provided guidance. The Chief Minister will deliberate in the Cabinet on how to advance this issue. This process will encompass one lakh individuals," said Shivakumar.

When queried whether they yielded to pressure from dominant castes concerning the caste census, the Deputy CM responded, "We have yielded to everyone's pressure, including that of the media."

When asked if the Veerashaiva community has supported the government's decision, he answered, "Swamijis from Veerashaiva, Vokkaliga, and other communities have reached out to me and endorsed this decision. Swamijis from all factions should guide their communities and motivate them to participate in this survey. Everyone should ensure accurate representation of their community in this survey."

When asked whether Deputy CM Shivakumar had gained favor with the Congress High Command regarding the caste census, he clarified, "There is no question of anyone gaining an advantage in this matter."

When questioned about the necessity of a state government survey while the Central government is conducting a caste census alongside the general census, he replied, "This is our party's political agenda. The BJP has emulated this. Rahul Gandhi has advocated for a caste census to ensure justice for Backward Classes."

When reporters inquired whether the party high command's decision on the fresh survey of the caste census has disheartened them, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah replied, "We will act as directed by the Congress high command. This is not solely our decision."

Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Council and a BJP leader, addressed the media on Wednesday at the state BJP office, Jagannath Bhavan, stating, "We anticipated the national Congress leadership would demand the resignation of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister over the Bengaluru stampede that resulted in 11 fatalities during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebration. Instead, the Congress seems to be diverting public attention by leveraging the caste census as a distraction."

He pointed out that the Congress-led state government had secured approval for the celebration even before RCB's victory, aiming to benefit from their success.

He noted that the tragic incident, which led to 11 deaths during the RCB celebration, made headlines nationwide.

Narayanaswamy asserted that the BJP has vehemently condemned this unfortunate incident, which left many injured.

He added that following this tragic event, the Congress summoned the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to Delhi.

"We expected accountability from them regarding their negligence," he remarked, warning that the BJP would persist in its protests until both leaders take responsibility for the incident and resign.

State BJP General Secretary and MLA, V. Sunil Kumar, has demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah apologize to the public and resign for repeatedly presenting inaccurate data on the caste census over the past decade.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at the state BJP office, he stated, "You have a history of serial failures. An astounding Rs 165 crore has been misappropriated. The failures of the MUDA scam, the Valmiki scam, the stampede incident, the excise scam, and now the caste census – all represent a pattern of failure. Therefore, you must resign immediately."

He questioned who would be held accountable for the Rs 165 crore spent on the previous caste survey, which the Congress government now claims to have abandoned.

"Who will you hold responsible for the costs incurred in the previous survey? Who will be accountable for the expenses of the new survey?" he asked.

"Are you planning to squander the taxpayers' money without justification?" Sunil Kumar remarked while lambasting the Congress government.

"The Central government has already declared its intention to conduct a caste census along with the general census. When the Centre is executing a caste census, is it necessary for the state government to initiate another one?" questioned the BJP leader.

He urged the state government to collaborate with the Central government's caste and general census.

He also demanded that the state government cease utilizing Other Backward Classes for its own benefit, misleading the populace.

"The 90-day deadline set for the caste census is yet another falsehood," he asserted.

"You promised to complete a survey related to SC (Scheduled Caste) internal reservation in one month, yet you postponed that survey three times. Now, you've imposed a three-month deadline for surveying seven crore individuals – whom are you attempting to deceive?" he queried.

"Is this feasible? It appears to me that you've established a 90-day deadline for relinquishing power," he observed.

N. Ravikumar, Chief Whip of BJP in the State Legislative Council, has criticized the Congress High Command, claiming that by summoning the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to Delhi, it has again insulted Karnataka.

This action, he alleged, was intended to obscure the tragic stampede incident during the RCB victory celebration in Karnataka, which led to the deaths of 11 individuals.

He accused the Congress of introducing the caste census topic to divert focus from the 11 fatalities that occurred due to the stampede in Bengaluru.

He argued that the Congress High Command has orchestrated a significant political maneuver at the expense of Karnataka to shift the narrative.

Ravikumar claimed that the Congress High Command dealt another blow to the state government, which resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals.

He asserted that the Congress High Command has wronged the Backward Classes.

"They proclaim they will conduct another caste census, asserting that the current one is flawed, 10 years old, and its data is obsolete. This is fundamentally the Congress High Command disrespecting Siddaramaiah," he stated.

He mentioned that several Congress leaders had previously objected to the caste census data, yet Siddaramaiah had insisted on its implementation.

"After experiencing this 'slap' and returning from Delhi, Siddaramaiah has now announced that a new caste census will be conducted," concluded Ravikumar.