Telangana Caste Survey Political Gimmick: Aruna
BJP MP D.K. Aruna Slams Telangana Caste Census as Politically Driven, Alleges Trust Deficit Among BCs
Hyderabad: BJP vice-president and Mahbubnagar MP D.K. Aruna has alleged that the caste census conducted by the Congress government in Telangana was riddled with errors and motivated purely by political gain, rather than aimed at benefiting the Backward Classes (BCs) communities. She claimed that over half the population did not participate in the survey as they recognised it was driven by the upcoming local body elections and not genuine concern for backward communities.
“People refused to take part because they knew it was not intended to uplift the BCs. The government conducted it solely to serve its electoral interests,” she claimed.
Responding to Congress leaders urging the Centre to replicate Telangana’s model of caste survey, Aruna said, “The public had no faith in the Congress-led survey. The ruling party failed to implement its BC declaration made before the Assembly elections, and this survey has only worsened the trust deficit.”
She alleged that the exercise did not yield any qualitative data about the socio-economic status of BCs. “Instead of helping BCs, the government diluted their position by including Muslims in the category. Providing BC reservations to Muslims is unconstitutional and an insult to backward classes,” she asserted.
Aruna stated that the Narendra Modi-led government was preparing to conduct a comprehensive caste-based census across the country — the first since 1931. “Despite being in power for over 60 years, the Congress failed to undertake a caste census, even when there was considerable pressure during the tenure of Manmohan Singh,” she charged.
