What is PM Modi's Vision for Equal Benefits through Caste Census?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Modi aims for equitable benefits through the caste census.
- No caste census has been conducted in India since 1931.
- BJP claims the decision will end efforts to sow hatred.
- The Congress party has been criticized for its inaction on this issue.
- Experts express mixed feelings about the potential impact of the census.
Bengaluru, May 1 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP asserted on Thursday that the intention behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to hold a caste census alongside the general census is to guarantee that all communities obtain equal benefits.
Simultaneously, the BJP criticized Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of attempting to instigate hatred under the guise of implementing the recommendations from the state’s caste census report.
In a media interaction, BJP state President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, remarked that with the Central Government now adopting a caste census, all efforts to ‘sow hatred’ would cease.
Expressing approval for the Cabinet’s decision taken on Wednesday, which aligns the caste census with the national population census, he stated, “There has been no caste census in India since 1931. Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims for justice for every citizen and equal opportunities for all communities. His vision focuses on serving the nation by ensuring justice for the most marginalized sections of society.”
Vijayendra claimed that the Central Government’s decision caught the Congress off guard and criticized them for not initiating a caste census during their long tenure post-Independence.
He further criticized the Karnataka government, asserting that the Chief Minister has yet to take any substantial action regarding the caste census.
“The previous survey conducted during the last term was intended for assessing the Backward Classes, but it is now being misrepresented as a caste census,” Vijayendra asserted.
He argued that state governments lack the authority to conduct a caste census, as this power is reserved for the Central Government.
Vijayendra recalled that even senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Veerappa Moily mentioned that a decade has passed since the last caste census in Karnataka, indicating that the timeline has expired.
“The Prime Minister’s decision is aimed at delivering justice to all backward communities. There is no need to take lessons from CM Siddaramaiah in this matter,” he said in response to another query.
Vijayendra also noted that the Congress, currently vocal about the caste census in Karnataka, does not even possess an original report.
He questioned the basis on which the Commission led by Jayaprakash Hegde submitted a report to the government, given that the original Kantharaj report is unavailable.
Concerning the terrorist incident in Pahalgam, Vijayendra stated that some individuals are making comments merely for publicity.
He emphasized that there is no need to respond to such remarks, asserting that every Indian stands united concerning the Pahalgam incident.
“There is a strong public expectation for decisive action against the terrorists,” he concluded.