Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 16: The Karnataka BJP has launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of using the caste census as a tool to deepen divisions between Hindus and Muslims in the state for political gain.
Addressing media persons on Tuesday, BJP state president and MLA BY Vijayendra alleged that the Congress government, despite lacking the legal authority to conduct a caste-based census, has gone ahead with the process in a bid to stoke communal sentiments and secure its vote bank.
“This entire exercise is based on a decade-old report. The caste census being pushed by the Congress is outdated and has no practical scope for implementation,” Vijayendra claimed. “As per the Backward Classes Commission, such surveys are meant to be carried out every ten years. The Congress is merely engaging in political gimmickry.”
Drawing parallels to colonial tactics, Vijayendra accused the Congress of continuing the British-era "divide and rule" policy. He recalled that during Siddaramaiah’s previous term as CM, there was an unsuccessful attempt to designate Veerashaiva-Lingayat as a separate religion—another controversial move that he said aimed to create unrest within communities.
“Now they claim to stand with Muslims and Ambedkar, but in truth, they’re using minorities as a vote bank,” he alleged. “There’s no real commitment from Siddaramaiah or the Congress to the welfare of backward or marginalised communities. This is pure political strategy.”
He also questioned Siddaramaiah’s inaction during his earlier tenure. “The H. Kantharaj Commission report was submitted in 2015. If Siddaramaiah was serious about implementing it, why did he sit on it for four years?” he asked.
Echoing similar sentiments, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka warned the Congress against reigniting sensitive issues. “Last time, they tried to separate Lingayats as a religion and were severely punished by the people. Now they are attempting to divide society again through the caste census.”
Ashoka further challenged the rationale behind the minority status for Muslims. “According to the caste census, Muslims form the largest population in Karnataka. If they are the majority, why should they continue to receive minority benefits?” he questioned.
He also expressed concerns over the lack of uniformity in how caste data was collected. “Lingayats were shown as fragmented into sub-castes, and even many Vokkaliga sub-castes were excluded,” he said.
The BJP has reiterated its commitment to uplifting the economically and socially weaker sections, while cautioning against what it calls “vote bank politics” by the ruling Congress party.