logo
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah welcomes caste census, urges Centre to add socio-economic and educational survey

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah welcomes caste census, urges Centre to add socio-economic and educational survey

Hindustan Times01-05-2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hailed the Union Government's move to approve the caste census alongside the national population enumeration, but urged that it be accompanied by a wider survey to capture the social, economic, and educational realities of various communities.
Also Read - Karnataka transport minister orders probe after bus driver offers Namaz during duty
"Our Government wholeheartedly welcomes the decision, but I urge the Centre to take it a step further -- to gather data that can inform a scientific and equitable reservation policy," said CM Siddaramaiah.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah welcomes caste census, urges Centre to add socio-economic and educational survey
"Based on that data, we have revised and expanded our reservation policy," he said, positioning Karnataka as a template for national implementation.
The Congress leader also used the opportunity to credit Rahul Gandhi's consistent advocacy for caste census and reservation reform.
"Even if Prime Minister Narendra Modi doesn't acknowledge it, the country knows it was Rahul Gandhi's relentless pressure that brought the Centre to this decision," he said.
Also Read - Fake sadhu cons Bengaluru car driver, steals ₹70,000 gold ring after performing 'magic': Report
Siddaramaiah criticised past BJP opposition to caste-based data collection, saying the party once labelled it "divisive" and contrary to Hindu unity.
"Their shift in stance is welcome, but it's clear that Congress's pressure and vision led the way," he asserted.
Recounting his earlier tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, he said the idea for a caste census had been initiated during the Dharam Singh Government but was delayed until his return as Chief Minister.
He highlighted that the Supreme Court itself has, on several occasions, underlined the need for robust socio-economic data to justify reservation policies.
He further urged Prime Minister Modi to rein in BJP leaders in Karnataka who continue to oppose the state's survey efforts.
"Just as they mocked our five Guarantee schemes and later adopted them, this change too reflects the growing influence of Congress's pro-people agenda," he added.
Offering full cooperation to the Centre, Siddaramaiah said the Karnataka model is ready to serve as a blueprint.
"We are fully prepared to guide the Union Government if needed," he stated.
The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated at a media briefing following the cabinet meeting that the decision demonstrates the present government's commitment to the holistic interests and values of the nation and society.
As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, the Census is a Union subject listed at 69 in the Union List in the Seventh Schedule.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said caste was excluded from all census operations conducted since independence.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Went for the country and spoke for the country: Tharoor on Op Sindoor outreach
Went for the country and spoke for the country: Tharoor on Op Sindoor outreach

Hans India

time12 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Went for the country and spoke for the country: Tharoor on Op Sindoor outreach

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who led a nine-member Indian delegation including MPs from different political parties as part of Operation Sindoor outreach to five countries, including the US and Brazil, on Tuesday said that the tour was hugely successful. "I went for the country and spoke for the country," said Tharoor while interacting with the Malayalam media here on Tuesday in response to a question about his party's outlook on the venture. Apart from Tharoor, the team included Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and it also visited Panama, Guyana, and Colombia. "The whole purpose of the visit was to interact with think tanks, Presidents, Vice Presidents, parliamentarians and also former top political leaders and to brief them on what had happened,' said Tharoor. About his American visit, he said nothing about trade issues or about who 'intervened' to stop the aggression was raised during their interactions, in a reference to President Donald Trump's statements. "After explaining the Indian position, all have understood things, as Pakistan had presented a weak case, as terrorists had attacked tourists," he added. Asked about what he intends to do following the visit, he said: "I am going to submit a detailed report to the Prime Minister, and it will be my report." "The trip was very hectic as we were travelling at night and hardly got time to sleep," Tharoor added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had selected Tharoor to be part of the delegation and lead it, after it was found out that the Congress party's list did not have the name of Tharoor. Ever since Tharoor decided to contest against the official party high command's nominee, Malikarjuna Kharge, for the post of Congress president, a majority in the Congress leadership was unhappy with him, but knowing his popularity, he managed to get support from a section of the party in Kerala. Tharoor is a four-time Congress MP from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency since 2009.

State got 10 times more central funds  during Modi's 11 years than UPA rule: CM
State got 10 times more central funds  during Modi's 11 years than UPA rule: CM

Indian Express

time15 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

State got 10 times more central funds  during Modi's 11 years than UPA rule: CM

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday said that during the eleven years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, Maharashtra received ten times more funds for major projects compared to the UPA rule. Fadnavis was addressing the media in Mumbai to celebrate eleven years of the Modi government and its achievements. 'During the eleven years of PM Narendra Modi-led NDA government, Maharashtra has received Rs 10.50 lakh crore for mega projects across the sectors. This amount is ten times more than what UPA has allocated to the state during its tenure from 2004 to 2014 — Rs 1.23 lakh,' Fadnavis claimed. While outlining the Modi government's eleven years, Fadnavis said, 'Today Modi and India are synonymous. Modi has made a huge impact globally. He has brought transformation through accountability and transparency in governance. The corruption menace has been effectively tackled. The policies and schemes are now directed to targeted beneficiaries through administrative reforms and mechanisms which are closely monitored.' The chief minister said that the state received maximum support from the Centre to fast-track mega infrastructure projects pending for the last four decades. He noted that key projects like Coastal road, Navi Mumbai Airport, Vadhavan Port, Samruddhi Mahamarg became a reality because of the Centre's help. Railway Projects worth Rs 1.75 lakh crore and other infrastructure works Rs 6 lakh crore are underway in the state, the CM added. The chief minister dismissed apprehensions from some quarters over the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. 'A handful of Congress leaders are raising questions which are baseless. All the eligible residents will be rehabilitated along with their house and commercial place in the same vicinity. And those who are ineligible will also be accommodated,' he reassured. Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of rigging in last year's Maharashtra Assembly elections, Fadnavis said, 'I have effectively countered all his charges. I think there is no substance in what he is saying and any BJP karyakarta can give him befitting reply.' 'Rahul seems to be adopting a strategy to hammer a lie many times. It is said that if you cannot convince you confuse. This is exactly the tactic applied by him,' he added. Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that Maharashtra has successfully eliminated Naxalism. ' We are determined to bring development in remote villages which were once Naxal hubs,' he said adding, 'During the Congress rule in Chhattisgarh, the recruitment drive by the Naxalites had increased. Once the BJP returned to power, anti-Naxal operations have been in progress in full swing.' He said Naxalism will be completely wiped out by March 2026.

Stampede: BJP to launch campaign against Congress govt. involving victims' families; seeks CM and Dy. CM's resignation
Stampede: BJP to launch campaign against Congress govt. involving victims' families; seeks CM and Dy. CM's resignation

The Hindu

time17 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Stampede: BJP to launch campaign against Congress govt. involving victims' families; seeks CM and Dy. CM's resignation

The Opposition BJP has decided to launch a State-wide protest campaign against the Congress government by involving the family members of those who lost their lives in the stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the RCB victory celebrations. The party has also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on moral grounds. As part of the campaign, the BJP has decided to hold a protest against the alleged failure of the government, at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on June 13. BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra said the family members of the victims, as well as those pained by the tragedy, would participate in the protest along with party workers in the city. Accusing the government of bungling the felicitation programme preparations, he maintained that the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister should be considered as 'accused-1 and accused-2', respectively, in this case, while Home Minister G. Parameshwara should be 'accused-3'. Alleging that the political tussle between the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister resulted in the stampede, he said while the Chief Minister wanted to hog the limelight by holding a felicitation programme in front of the Vidhana Soudha, the Deputy Chief Minister had tried to get credit by visiting the stadium where a grand programme was held. Open letter Mr. Vijayendra also sent an open letter to the Chief Minister, demanding that both he and the Deputy Chief Minister quit, taking moral responsibility for the incident. He alleged that the Chief Minister had decided to go ahead with the felicitation programme by heeding the advice of his 'sycophant aides' who wanted to please him by creating an opportunity for him to bask in the glory of the RCB's IPL victory. Meanwhile, Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of the legislature R. Ashok and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy visited the house of Bhoomik, who died in the stampede, in Hassan and tried to console his father.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store