Siddaramaiah Defies Critics, Pushes Ahead with Caste Survey

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared on Friday that the socio-educational survey of backward castes will proceed as planned, rejecting calls for postponement despite reported dissent within his cabinet. Speaking to reporters, he emphasized that the Backward Class Commission, a constitutionally established body, will independently determine the survey's execution. "We won’t postpone it. The commission will decide," Siddaramaiah stated, dismissing claims of ministerial opposition.

Addressing allegations of discord, he accused the BJP of politicizing the issue to portray the Congress government as anti-Hindu. "I’ve instructed ministers to condemn this narrative and respond appropriately," he added. No final decision was made during Thursday’s cabinet meeting, where concerns were raised about including groups like Vokkaliga Christians, Lingayat Christians, and others in the survey, often referred to as a caste census.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje sharply criticized Siddaramaiah, accusing him of using caste as a divisive tool. "Whenever he fails, he wields the caste weapon," she claimed, alleging that Siddaramaiah’s policies aim to fragment communities like Lingayats, Veera Shaivas, Vokkaligas, and Ganigas. She further accused the government of conspiring to reallocate SC/ST and OBC reservations to converted Christians, urging, "Those who have converted should identify as Christians and avail minority benefits."

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Karandlaje warned of an "organized conspiracy" to undermine Hindu unity, likening Siddaramaiah’s tactics to British colonial strategies. "Hindus must unite beyond castes, or we’ll be divided and distributed," she rallied, vowing to resist the survey’s implementation.

The controversy continues to stir debate as Karnataka braces for the survey’s implications on its social and political landscape.

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