From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Mysuru, Oct 7: Joining issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for claiming that the caste census will divide census, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said people who do not know the hard realities of society are speaking on the evils of caste society.

``Modi should know that the poverty-ameliorating and pro-poor welfare schemes are framed to tackle the problems of poverty and create an egalitarian society with equal opportunities for all,’’ he said pointing out that caste has become a hard reality despite 76 years since Independence.

Speaking to media persons in Mysuru on Saturday, he said Modi should know the social and economic conditions. ``Even after 76 years since Independence caste system prevails. It is, therefore, necessary to assess the conditions of people to bring the deprived sections and facing social, economic and political inequalities so as to bring them to the mainstream. Naturally, census or assessment of the social, economic and castes is necessary. Caste census will not definitely divide society,’’ he asserted.

``There is a vast difference between what Modi speaks and does,’’’ Siddaramaiah said and questioned the rationale of the Prime Minister’s slogan:``Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.’’

``How can there be Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, when Modi and BJP is denying tickets in the elections to Muslims,’’ he asked.

Jayaprakash Hegde panel report in November:

Chief Minister said the Backward Classes Commission is submitting its report in November. ``When Kantharaju was heading the Commission, the then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had not bothered to get the report. Now, there is another chairman and he has been asked to submit the report on the same lines. The commission chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde has promised to submit report in November

The demand of the most backward sections for creating a separate group at the national level for their upliftment, he said such a demand will be considered after getting the Backward Classes Commission’s report with respect to Karnataka.

Later, the Chief Minister participated in the Basava Jayanti programme jointly organised by the India Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha and Veerashaiva Lingayat organisations as well as Basava Balaga Federation at the Mysuru Kalamandir.

Siddaramaiah said all Basava Sharana spiritual leaders believed and worked for ensuring all people could sit together side by side instead of the practice of leaders being carried by people. The Basava Sharana spiritual leaders did not work for the benefit of the upper castes and strived to uplift and create awakening even among the lowest castes. Allama Prabhu, who belonged to lowly caste, headed the Anubhava Mantap. Basavanna promoted inter-caste marriage in the 12th century, he said.