Politics
After Bihar, Kar-Nataka on Release of Caste Census Findings: Cautious Cong Govt Weighs Options
Moments after the Bihar Government released the caste census findings, leaders from the ruling Congress party in Karnataka have also demanded that findings of the seven-year-old Karnataka caste census (named socio-economic study of castes/religion) be made public immediately.
B K Harprasad, a senior Congress leader who is now disgruntled, posted a comment on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), urging the Siddaramaiah government to make the findings public. His tone and tenor suggest it is imperative for the Congress government to release the sensitive data, which might change Karnataka’s socio-political landscape permanently.
Congress MLC Hariprasad BK posted: “Bihar which is governed by INDIA alliance has released its caste census. Rahul Gandhi Ji has spoken passionately about ensuring justice for the backward classes. It is now imperative for Karnataka to forthwith release the caste census conducted in 2017.”
Karnataka is now bracing for a caste census, which could potentially change its socio-political landscape permanently and turn state politics on its head.
The census, named Socio-Economic Survey, was held during Siddaramaiah’s previous term (2013-18) and its findings are in the “safe custody” of the government. Several groups had opposed the caste census, claiming the state government had no right to conduct such an exercise, following which it was renamed.
Bihar which is governed by INDIA alliance has released its caste census. Rahul Gandhi Ji has spoken passionately about ensuring justice for the backward classes. It is now imperative for Karnataka to forthwith release the caste census conducted in 2017.— Hariprasad.B.K. (@HariprasadBK2) October 2, 2023
‘STATE SECRET’
The government is hesitant to make the findings public, calling it a “state secret”. After his defeat in the 2018 Assembly elections, Siddaramaiah’s successors – HD Kumaraswamy, BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai – had flatly refused to release the caste census data.
The demand for the release has now pitted the OBC, SC/ST and minority leaders of the Congress against upper caste leaders of their own party. The powerful Lingayat and Vokkaliga MLAs, ministers and other leaders of the Congress are opposing the release fearing it might reduce their bargaining power, if the findings are not to their advantage.
The AHINDA (minorities, OBCs, SC/STs), which Siddaramaiah leads, are favouring the immediate tabling of the caste census data, arguing it will set many historical injustices right. They claim that their numbers are much more, and the census data will empower them socially, politically and economically.
Personally, Siddaramaiah is in favour of releasing the data, but political compulsions are not allowing him to take that decisive step. The upper caste leaders of the party fear that any such move might consolidate Lingayat and Vokkaliga votes completely in favour of BJP-JDS alliance and might lead to AHINDA versus upper castes fight in the state.
Reacting to this, Home Minister and Dalit leader Dr G Parameshwara gave an evasive reply, pushing the ball in Siddaramaiah’s court. He said: “My opinion does not count here. CM Siddaramaiah will consult everyone and will take a decision soon.”
LINGAYATS & VOKKALIGAS
In March 2018, News18 had accessed the leaked main findings of the survey and they have the potential to end the political hegemony of the two dominant upper castes in the state — Lingayats and Vokkaligas.
Since Independence, these two major castes have been controlling the levers of power, claiming to be the ‘top communities’ in the state. The two castes have always accounted for 50% of the MP and MLA seats from the state, irrespective of the party in power. The Lingayats even want to be recognised as a separate religion, a demand backed by the previous Siddaramaiah government.
According to the census data seen by News18, Dalits and Muslims outnumber Lingayats and Vokkaligas. The Scheduled Castes (SCs) account for 19.5% of the total population in the state, making it the single-largest caste entity. Muslims come next, making up about 16% of the population. These two groups are followed by the Lingayats and Vokkaligas, who make up 14% and 11% of the population, respectively.
Among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Kurubas alone account for 7% of the state’s population. Overall, the OBCs make up 20% of Karnataka’s population.
As per the data, SCs, STs, Muslims and Kurubas together form 62% of the total population, making it the strongest combination. Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA group would be the most formidable one in the state, forcing Lingayats and Vokkaligas to play second fiddle to them.
ALSO READ | BJP, Congress on ‘Caste’ Track: How Lingayats Can Make or Break Government in Karnataka
Alarmed by the findings, both the castes have joined hands to dismiss the findings as “fabricated to suit the political interests”.
Speaking to News18, national secretary of Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha HM Renuka Prasanna said there is “no way” they could accept the findings of the ‘caste census’. “According to Justice Chinnappa Reddy Commission, our population was 69 lakh in 1980s. We formed 16.92% of the total population. The Havanur Commission claims it was 17.23%. How can our population be just 14% after 30 years? If our population has decreased, then the state’s total population should also have decreased proportionately. But that is not the case. We have conducted our own caste census and our population stands at 1.20 crore. We make up around 20% of the total population,” he said.
He alleged that enumerators have not conducted the census in a fair and scientific manner. He said that Lingayat caste will support a new caste census if it is done in a fair and scientific way. He has also said that Lingayat and Veerashaiva caste leaders are planning to hold a joint meeting to oppose the current census and demand a fresh one.
The Vokkaligas are of the same opinion. A senior Vokkaliga minister in the government told News18 that the community accounts for 16% of the population, not 11%. Deputy chief minister and KPCC president D K Shivakumar himself a Vokkaliga is not in favour of releasing the data.
A Vokkaliga bureaucrat said that if the findings are true, it can end Lingayat and Vokkaliga hegemony in the state. “It is alarming. If it is true, SC, STs, Muslims and Kurubas will decide the fate of Karnataka. Our 70-year hold over the state will be weakened,” he said.
‘JUST RUMOURS’
CM Siddaramaiah has refused to confirm the findings, saying nobody has the exact caste figures and that these were “just rumours”. “I can’t comment on this. Who has made it public? No one has released it. It is all pure speculation,” he has told the same many times in the past seven years.
The state’s Congress government is in a dilemma on whether to release the data. Some argue that if they make the details public, the Vokkaligas and Lingayats may join hands to take on the government, and it may even lead to socio-political unrest.
Secondly, the BJP might make the growth in Muslim population an election issue during upcoming Parliament and local bodies elections.
According to the ‘caste census’ data leaked by some, Dalits form 19.5% of the state’s population, tribals 5%, Muslims 16%, Kurubas 7%, rest of the OBCs 16%, Lingayats 14%, Vokkaligas 11%, Brahmins 3%, Christians 3%, Buddhists and Jains together 2%, and the others account for 4%. And the Karnataka Government is flatly refusing to confirm these figures dismissing these “leaked” data as imagined.
Karnataka’s total population is around 6.41 crore. Of them, about 5.21 crore are registered voters.
Politics
Maharashtra Dussehra Rallies Updates: ‘We Freed Shiv Sena,’ Says CM Shinde; Uddhav Attacks BJP With ‘Kauravas’ Jibe
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Tata Gave Us Salt, Some Industrialists Are Taking Away Mumbai’s Saltpan Lands: Uddhav
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Ratan Tata, 86, died on October 9 at a city hospital.
Thackeray and other leaders stood in silence as a mark of respect to the veteran industrialist before Thackeray addressed the rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai.
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CM Shinde Takes Dig At Uddhav Over CM Face
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The double engine Govt is for the development of Maharashtra
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Garv se kaho hum Hindu he this slogan was given to the country by Late Balasaheb Thackeray but some people get allergy while saying this slogan. but we feel proud saying it.
We freed Shivsena. this Dussehra Rally is of freed Shiv sena
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Shinde Slams Uddhav, Says No Difference Between Shiv Sena (UBT) and AIMIM
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said the Lok Sabha poll success of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was like a flash in the pan which won’t be replicated in the upcoming assembly polls.
Addressing the Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena at Azad Maidan ground in south Mumbai, Shinde likened the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, suggesting Muslim appeasement politics.
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Recalling his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership in June 2022, Shinde said he freed the real Shiv Sena from the clutches of those who betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideals.
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Why Uddhav Parted Ways With BJP?
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Politics
Bangladesh’s ‘India is Enemy’ Narrative May Lead to Alliance With Nuclear-Armed Pakistan: RSS Chief in Dussehra Speech
The political instability in Bangladesh has triggered a dangerous narrative of India being the enemy and, coupled with Pakistan’s nuclear power, both nations may strike up a dangerous alliance and try to contain India, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday in his Vijayadashmi speech as he emphasised how such a divisive propaganda not only undermines regional stability but also fuels hostility.
Every year, Bhagwat’s Vijayadashami address is known to carry the most crucial directions from the Sangh head to the cadres and all affiliate organisations. In Nagpur, the RSS chief was joined by Dr Koppillil Radhakrishnan, former chairperson of ISRO and the chief guest for the event.
Condemning the recent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, Bhagwat said: “What unfolded in Bangladesh may have immediate causes, but the underlying issue is the repeated atrocities against Hindus. For the first time, Hindus united to protect themselves, but as long as this radical violence persists, not just Hindus, but all minorities are at risk. They need global Hindu support and India’s government must step in. Being weak invites atrocity. Wherever we are, we must be united and empowered — weakness is not an option.”
He added: “As long as the tyrannical fundamentalist nature exists in Bangladesh, the sword of danger will hang over the heads of not only Hindus, but all minority communities. Unprovoked brutal atrocities on the Hindu community residing in Bangladesh were repeated. A specific narrative is in circulation in Bangladesh about India being an anti-Bangladesh force. They say that Pakistan is their real friend. Since Pakistan has nuclear powers, a combination of Pakistan-Bangladesh may deal with India and try to contain it. The country that received full support in its creation is now encouraging such a narrative against Bharat.”
Bhagwat warned that India’s rise is being challenged by forces attempting to create alliances based on fear and aggression. However, these attempts will fail as India continues to stand strong, united, and prepared to face any threat.
Cultural Marxism, Wokism Exist
Noting that “being weak is a crime”, Bhagwat said: “If we are divided and disorganised, we invite trouble. Unity, empowerment, and support are essential to protect ourselves and all these vulnerable groups.”
He added: “Foreign forces with vested interests seek to destabilise India’s progress. Deep state conspiracies, cultural Marxism, and woke ideologies infiltrate institutions — be it educational, environmental, or societal — aiming to control the narrative and undermine India’s cultural integrity.”
“It’s critical to recognise that narratives are often manipulated to serve selfish agendas. This distortion is visible globally, but especially resonates within India’s neighbourhood, where instability spills over.”
The RSS chief also said: “The recent turmoil in Bangladesh is a stark reminder of how external influences continue to fuel religious violence, with Hindus repeatedly becoming targets of atrocities. The foreign force that wants to hurt India’s global interest, destabilise its interest is spreading and funding such radicalism, particularly in the neighbouring countries. It is intended to pose a significant threat not just to Hindus, but to all minorities.”
He said: “The Western forces which talk about and promote global friendship before the whole world are conspiring behind the backs of many such developing nations. There may have been reasons behind the political uprising in Bangladesh but it would have never taken such a shape had there not been outside support, motivation and planning.”
India must remain vigilant as enemies of tradition and nationhood are not only external but also find local allies who push anarchist and separatist agendas, he added. Bhagwat’s words echo the need for strength, pointing out that even divine forces do not protect the weak. “It is time to rise united, ensuring that India’s progress is safeguarded against forces that attempt to derail it.”
Several other important political and business personalities were present at the event, including Sajjan Jindal and Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vaishnaw, however, left to look into a train crash after 12 coaches of Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express derailed following collision with a stationary goods train near Chennai on Friday night.
‘RG Kar Incident A Disgrace’
In a culture that upholds ‘Maatrivat Paradaareshu’ (seeing all women as mothers), incidents like the rape of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital are a stain on Indian society, said Bhagwat, adding, “The dilly-dally attitude of the state government, in a way its efforts to shield the culprits, expose the dangerous nexus of crime, politics, and a poisonous culture. We must reclaim our values and stand firm against this moral decay.”
The distorted propaganda and decay of values spread by various institutions is corrupting the minds, words, and deeds of Bharat’s younger generation, he said. “Children now have unchecked access to mobile phones and are consuming indecent content with no oversight. There is an urgent need for legal control over harmful ads and perverse visuals in our homes and society,” Bhagwat pointed out.
“The rise of drug addiction is hollowing our society from within, and we must revive values that promote virtue,” he added.
Last Updated:
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini | Image/PTI (File)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to form a government for the third consecutive term in Haryana with an oath-taking ceremony for Nayab Singh Saini as Chief Minister on October 17.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to form a government for the third consecutive term in Haryana with an oath-taking ceremony for Nayab Singh Saini as Chief Minister on October 17.
Union Minister and former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said, “We have received the nod of the PM that on October 17, in Panchkula, the CM and council of ministers will take oath.”
A 10-member committee headed by the Panchkula District Commissioner has been formed by the chief secretary to take care of the oath-taking ceremony arrangements.
Nayab Singh Saini had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior BJP leaders in Delhi on Wednesday ahead of his likely swearing-in as the head of the new dispensation in the state following the party’s win in the assembly polls.
On Thursday, Saini also met the Union minister and the BJP’s election in-charge for Haryana, Dharmendra Pradhan, in the national capital.
The BJP had indicated during the elections that Saini, who replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as chief minister in March and hails from the Other Backward Classes, will be its choice for the top post if it wins.
In the assembly elections, the party recorded its best-ever haul of 48 seats, 11 more than the Congress. The JJP and the AAP were decimated and the INLD managed to win just two seats.
Eight out of 10 ministers in the outgoing Saini cabinet faced defeat in the Haryana assembly polls. The two who won were Mahipal Dhanda and Mool Chand Sharma from Panipat Rural and Ballabhgarh seats respectively.
Both Dhanda, who comes from the Jat community, and Sharma, a senior leader and a Brahmin face, are among the ministerial probables in the new government, sources said.
Haryana can have a maximum of 14 ministers, including the chief minister.
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