Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 13: Raising serious concerns over the recently submitted caste census report, the Karnataka BJP on Sunday questioned the methodology and accuracy of the survey, especially the reported surge in the Muslim population in the state.
Addressing media persons at a press meet held in the city, senior BJP leader and leader of opposition in Assembly R Ashoka alleged political conspiracy behind the report’s preparation. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah summoned former backward classes commission chairman H Kantharaju to his residence and dictated the contents of the report. This manipulation has become an open secret now,” he claimed.
Ashoka expressed disbelief over the reported demographic changes, particularly the claim that Muslims constitute 18.08 percent of the state’s population. “The report was compiled without proper ground-level survey or door-to-door verification. How can such a census be accepted as credible?” he questioned.
He further accused the Congress-led government of using the caste census as a tool for appeasement politics. “This report appears to be focused only on one community. What are they trying to prove? This is a blatant attempt to divide castes and religions,” Ashoka said, accusing the Chief Minister of betraying the Lingayat, Vokkaliga, and Dalit communities.
Clarifying that the BJP is not against the idea of a caste census, Ashoka said the intent and execution of this particular exercise are deeply flawed. “The Congress government is reviving the British-era divide-and-rule tactic to create communal discord between major communities like Lingayats and Vokkaligas,” he alleged.
He also raised doubts over the expenditure on the census. “They claim over Rs 150 cr was spent. This is a sham. Where has that money gone? The entire exercise is mired in corruption and lacks transparency,” he alleged.
Linking the report’s release to recent controversies, Ashoka said, “This is a classic diversion tactic. The government wants to shift attention from the honey trap scandal, the Rs 500 cr mining renewal scam, and contractor bribery allegations.”
He also challenged the government’s claim regarding enhanced reservations for the Vokkaliga community. “Such a move is not legally tenable. Let the government issue a formal order and face legal scrutiny. States do not have constitutional authority to unilaterally increase reservation quotas,” he asserted.
The contentious caste census report, prepared by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, was submitted to the state cabinet on April 10. A special cabinet meeting has been scheduled for April 17 to deliberate on the recommendations. While the full report has not been officially released, several details from the internal cabinet briefing have already entered the public domain.
The unfolding developments surrounding the caste census are expected to trigger significant political and social debate across Karnataka in the coming days.