Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 12 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reaffirmed the state government’s decision to redo the caste census, asserting that the initiative is aimed at ensuring social justice and not driven by political motives. His comments come amid criticism from opposition leaders who have raised concerns over the state’s move to undertake a fresh caste-based survey.
Speaking to reporters following a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Shivakumar stated,
“The reason why we are redoing the caste census is social justice, not politics. The opposition parties, who criticised the previous caste census, are now opposing the new caste census. Let them come forward and support the original caste census if they have issues with the new one.”
He challenged opposition leaders such as H D Kumaraswamy, BY Vijayendra, and R Ashok to publicly clarify their stance on the issue.
“They are making a lot of comments. We will respond to them in the Assembly session. The media must highlight the contradictions in their stand. They are trying to politicise it,” Shivakumar said.
Shivakumar stressed that the decision to redo the caste census was made after consulting the people and Congress MLAs, adding that the report from the previous census, which is now a decade old, had been discussed by the Cabinet multiple times.
He noted that even opposition parties had earlier demanded a re-survey, and under Section 11, one could seek a court stay if the existing census data is considered outdated.
Addressing concerns that the Congress high command influenced the decision, Shivakumar clarified,
“The high command only gave us guidelines. It is important to include all sections of society, and the earlier survey is already 10 years old.”
He also confirmed that the new survey would be inclusive of all communities, including Kannadigas living outside the state, who will be allowed to submit their information online.
When asked about the previous opposition to the caste census by certain influential communities like the Lingayats and Vokkaligas, Shivakumar declined to comment directly, saying the current survey aims to encompass everyone fairly.
In a separate response, Shivakumar expressed his condolences to the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, calling it a devastating event for the country.
“It is shocking news for the country and the world. My and my party’s prayers are with the passengers and their families,” he said.
When asked whether any Kannadigas were on board the crashed flight, he urged people to refrain from viewing the tragedy through a regional lens.
“They are all Indians. Let’s pray for them,” he said.
The London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The aircraft collided with a nearby doctors’ hostel, and the cause of the accident is under investigation. (ANI)
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