Karnataka CM Denies Caste Survey Has Divisive Agenda
CM accuses BJP of politicising issue, clarifies survey is socio-economic, educational and employment-focused
Gadag: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday indicated that the column showing Christian sub-castes had been removed from the forthcoming caste census, and accused the BJP of “politicising” the matter.
Commenting on the confusion over introduction of Christian' nomenclature in the sub-caste category, the CM said, “It has been removed now.”
Clarifying, he said, It is not me who has removed it. The Backward Class Commission is a statutory body. We cannot interfere in it. We cannot direct it. We have given it guidelines and asked them to do it according to the guidelines.
He also questioned the claims being made that there was a conspiracy behind Karnataka’s caste survey, pointing out that the Centre had announced plans for a caste enumeration nationwide.
Clarifying rumors that some ministers had opposed the survey during a Cabinet meeting earlier in the week, Siddaramaiah said, “Everybody supports the survey. To bring equality in society, those who have been denied opportunities must be given a fair chance.”
On allegations that the survey is aimed at dividing castes, and BJP’s request to the Governor to review the decision, the Chief Minister accused the party of politicising the matter. “There is no question of breaking caste through this survey,” he emphasised.
Responding to a question about whether the caste survey would list different castes among Christians, Siddaramaiah clarified that they have now been removed. “The Permanent Backward Class Commission is a statutory body. We cannot interfere in its functioning or dictate its decisions. All we have done is provide them with the necessary guidelines,” he said.
On the proposal to include the Kuruba community in the ST category, the Chief Minister stated that the previous BJP government had recommended it, but the Central Government had rejected the proposal. He added that the government will provide an explanation and clarified that any decision to include a community in the ST category rests solely with the Central Government.
Siddaramaiah said 1.75 lakh teachers will act as enumerators and each teacher will survey 120 to 150 houses in 15 days. The survey from September 22 to October 7 will take place with an estimated cost of `420 crore.
The enumerators will conduct survey for 15 days, who will go to every house, asking people their caste and religion as also their education, the Chief Minister said. Highlighting the need for the exercise, Siddaramaiah said his government wants to know the number of castes existing in the state. Another most important thing is that this is a socio-educational, economic and job' survey, he noted.
