Caste census: Congress trying to divide society, says BJP

Mangalore Today News Network

Benglauru, April 12, 2025: Criticising the state Cabinet for approving the Caste Census report, BJP leaders accused the Congress of attempting to create divisions in society by making the findings of the census public. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka charged the Congress with trying to sow seeds of divison.

Reiterating the BJP’s claim that the Caste Census exercise was not carried out scientifically, Ashoka said, “We are not against the Caste Census per se but it should be conducted in a scientific manner, adhering to all norms, with enumerators paying a visit to every house in the state.”

Ashoka cited claims made by prominent members of Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, who have alleged that the report was prepared at the behest of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. “Many people in the state are on record stating that no enumerator has visited their home,” said Ashoka, charging the Congress with trying to create fissures among various communities in the state.

Ashoka’s counterpart in the Council Chalavadi T Narayanaswamy alleged that the government’s decision to make the report public was yet another ploy on its part to further delay implementation of internal reservation within the Scheduled Caste category. “Making the Caste Census findings public will further complicate the task of carrying out a survey within the SC communities,” he added.

Citing statements made by ministers, MLAs and MPs of the Congress, all of whom have expressed their opposition to the implementation of the Caste Census report, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi mockingly urged the ruling party to ensure a consensus among all leaders.

In its post on ‘X’, Karnataka BJP wrote, “Siddaramaiah has released this report to divert people’s attention from corruption and scams.”