Is it feasible to conduct a caste census of seven crore people in just 15 days?
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Synopsis
The Karnataka BJP questions the Congress-led government's ambitious plan to conduct a caste census of seven crore people in just 15 days. With allegations of political manipulation and misuse of taxpayer funds, the feasibility of this rapid survey is under scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka BJP questions the feasibility of a rapid caste census.
- Allegations of political exploitation of caste data are raised.
- Concerns over taxpayer money mismanagement.
- Initial caste census report was scrapped due to opposition.
- The caste census is set to begin on September 22.
Bengaluru, July 24 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP raised concerns on Thursday regarding the Congress-led government's ambition to finalize the caste census of seven crore people within a mere 15 days, challenging its practicality.
According to State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra, "To mislead the backward communities, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has initiated a new drama. For a decade, Siddaramaiah has politically capitalized on the caste survey report of the Kantharaj Commission, squandering Rs 165 crore of Karnataka taxpayers' money. Now, he has ordered a caste survey for 7 crore people in the state within just 15 days, attempting to pull off a 'magic trick'."
Vijayendra questioned, "Even after the deadline has passed, data collection among Scheduled Communities for the internal reservations' sub-categorization remains unfinished. Is it truly feasible to complete the caste survey of 7 crore people in just 15 days (from September 22 to October 7)?"
He criticized Siddaramaiah for allegedly misusing taxpayers' money to deceive the people of Karnataka in a bid to maintain his Chief Ministerial role.
Rather than endorsing the Union Government's decision to include caste enumeration in the national population census, the Congress government in Karnataka has once again declared a separate caste survey, despite the Constitution lacking a provision for it, Vijayendra remarked.
Vijayendra emphasized, "Siddaramaiah's politically motivated strategy will soon face public scrutiny. The public will deliver a verdict."
The Karnataka government has declared its plan to undertake a new caste census exercise starting September 22.
Under directives from Congress leadership, the initial caste census report, which cost around Rs 160 crore, was discarded by the Siddaramaiah-led administration.
This earlier caste census report was viewed as a personal initiative of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah but met with staunch opposition from various communities, including the powerful Lingayat and Vokkaliga groups.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize that the caste census discussion reflects broader societal issues. While the government's intentions might be scrutinized, the necessity for accurate representation and data collection is paramount. It is essential to approach this matter with a balanced perspective that values both accountability and the needs of the communities involved.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the caste census planned by the Karnataka government?
The Karnataka government aims to conduct a caste census to collect data on the caste composition of the state, but its feasibility within the designated 15 days has been questioned.
Why is the BJP opposing the caste census?
The BJP argues that the plan is a political maneuver by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to mislead backward communities and is skeptical about its execution within the short time frame.
How much money has been spent on caste surveys in Karnataka?
The Karnataka government has reportedly spent around Rs 165 crore on caste surveys, raising concerns about resource allocation and effectiveness.
What are the implications of the caste census?
The caste census could influence political representation and policies related to reservations for different communities, making accurate data collection crucial.
What is the timeline for the caste census?
The Karnataka government plans to conduct the caste census from September 22 to October 7.
