Bengaluru
The state BJP expressed no dispute over the caste census, stated Opposition Leader R Ashoka. In a recent statement, he emphasized that the BJP’s basic ideology, Anthyodaya, includes a commitment to social justice. This aims to bring lower communities into the political, social, educational, and economic mainstream. He affirmed that the BJP will support any efforts to achieve this goal.
However, Ashoka posed questions to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding his commitment to the caste census. He questioned why the Kantaraju report from 2018 was not accepted and implemented if there was a genuine commitment to the census. Complaints were made that the last caste census conducted ten years ago was unscientific and many households were not visited. He questioned the urgency of presenting this report now.
The Vokkaligara Sangha has advised against accepting the current caste census report. The Deputy Chief Minister, along with senior leaders from his party, has signed a statement opposing it. Religious leaders have also voiced their concerns. Ashoka questioned why a consensus was not reached after 17 months of discussion. He suggested that the census report could be a distraction from ongoing scandals. He called it self-deceptive to use social justice for political gain and stated that this approach insults dalits and lower communities.
