Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge justifies fresh caste census in Karnataka
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge justified the decision to conduct a fresh caste census in Karnataka, saying it is necessary to reflect current realities.
'The last caste census was conducted ten years ago during Mr. Siddaramaiah's first tenure as Chief Minister. Much has changed since then, with several communities being reclassified. A new survey is essential to assess the present socio-economic and educational status of each caste. The same parameters used in the previous census will be applied again, along with new parameters,' he explained.
No Cabinet reshuffle
When asked about the Congress high command's recent meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Mr. Kharge clarified that the issues of Cabinet reshuffle and change of KPCC president were not on the agenda.
'We discussed several matters, including the caste census and the tragic stampede at M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, which claimed 11 lives and injured 56 others during the RCB's IPL victory celebration,' he said.
Responding to the opposition's demand for resignation of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister over the stampede, Mr. Kharge questioned whether Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had stepped down following the stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
'Calls for resignation are justified only when there is deliberate wrongdoing. This was a tragic incident that should never have occurred. We are deeply saddened by the loss of young lives. It is heartbreaking to witness the grief of their parents. Our focus must now be on ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated,' he said.
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