Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has hit out at BJP leaders for opposing the state’s ongoing Social, Economic and Educational Survey.
Bengaluru
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday strongly defended the ongoing Social, Economic and Educational Survey, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hypocrisy and regressive thinking for opposing the exercise. Through a press release, Siddaramaiah said the survey, being conducted by the State Backward Classes Permanent Commission, aims to study the social, economic and educational status of all seven crore residents of Karnataka, cutting across caste and religion.
Rejecting allegations that the initiative is caste-specific, the Chief Minister said its objective is to achieve social justice, fair representation and equal opportunities for every community, including poor sections of forward castes. He alleged BJP leaders were trying to obstruct the survey to preserve “inequality between castes and communities,” calling their stand “Manuvadi” and “self-contradictory.”
Siddaramaiah pointed out that the BJP’s own alliance government in Bihar had conducted a similar caste-based survey and that Telangana had also carried out one without protest. More importantly, he noted, the BJP-led Union Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated a caste census. “If Karnataka BJP leaders oppose our survey, do they also oppose their own government’s census?” he asked.
Appealing to citizens to cooperate fully, Siddaramaiah said the survey would help create a more equitable society and ensure Karnataka becomes “a garden of peace and harmony for all communities.” He urged people to ignore “politically motivated and misleading statements” and instead participate to support inclusive development.
