Citizens’ group terms resistance to K'taka socio-educational survey “irrational, anti-marginalised"
Bengaluru: Participants at a panel discussion on Sunday criticised the opposition to Karnataka’s ongoing socio-educational survey, commonly referred to as the caste census, describing the resistance as irrational and detrimental to the welfare of marginalised communities and the state’s overall development.
The discussion, organised by the citizens’ collective Bahutva Karnataka, brought together experts including academic and writer Professor A. Narayana, former head of the Department of Women’s Studies at Karnataka Women’s University Professor R. Sunandamma, research scholar Dr Azhar, and journalist Anisha Sheth.
Professor Narayana said it was concerning that an exercise aimed at gathering data had become a point of contention. “Development in India has largely benefited some groups over others. Without updated and reliable data, it is difficult to ensure equitable growth,” Deccan Herald quoted him as saying. He added that in the absence of fresh data since the 1931 census, the current survey holds great significance.
Professor Sunandamma observed that the earlier 2015 survey report had shortcomings, as several of its conclusions were not adequately substantiated. She said the new survey must address those gaps to ensure credibility.
Dr Azhar pointed out that previous reports of Karnataka’s Backward Classes Commissions consistently showed that religious minorities, particularly Christians and Muslims, remain underdeveloped in terms of education, employment, and gender balance. He said that while governments often announce welfare schemes for minorities, there is little focus on long-term development and poor utilisation of allocated funds. “This survey could provide the foundation for evidence-based policies to improve social and educational outcomes among minorities,” he added.
Journalist Anisha Sheth observed that both the government and the commission had not sufficiently communicated the constitutional and legal basis of the survey to the public. She noted that dominant castes had earlier criticised the 2015 survey as unscientific without providing valid reasoning. “A survey that covered 94 percent of the state cannot simply be dismissed as unscientific,” she said, urging better communication and transparency in the process.
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BJP to fight Assam polls on twin planks of development, secure state
Guwahati (PTI): In a bid to win the Assam Assembly elections for the third time in a row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday advised the state BJP brass to fight on twin planks: development and a secure state.
Shah, who wound up a two-day visit to Assam, held a nearly two-hour-long meeting with senior leaders of the BJP state unit at the party headquarters here, with a focus on discussing strategy for the state elections, expected in March-April.
Briefing reporters after the closed-door meeting, BJP Assam president Dilip Saikia said, "Development and a secure Assam will be our twin electoral planks."
He also said that Shah, known for his expertise in electoral politics, has offered valuable suggestions, and based on it, an action plan to retain power in the state will be formulated soon.
“Discussions were held in detail on our organisational and political calendars. Shah ji offered some very valuable suggestions, and we will implement those at the earliest…We will share more details on the action plan soon,” Saikia said.
He further said that the Union minister exhorted the state party leadership to ensure that not only do they secure a ‘massive landslide victory’ but also bag more seats than in the previous election.
The BJP currently leads a coalition government in Assam with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) has also extended support.
In the 126-member Assembly, the BJP now has 64 legislators, while its allies AGP, UPPL and BPF have nine, seven and three memnbers, respectively. In the opposition camp, the Congress’ strength is 26, while AIUDF has 15 members and CPI(M) one. There is an Independent legislator also, belonging to Raijor Dal.
Saikia said that the party will continue to contest the state polls in coalition with its NDA allies, which was also favoured by Shah.
Dismissing reports of chinks in the ruling coalition, the Lok Sabha MP said, “As far as the NDA is concerned, we are united in Assam. There could be discussions about some issues on individual party forums.”
The saffron party has maintained that its alliance with the regional parties will continue, and formalities like seat-sharing arrangements are being worked out.
Shah, who was on his second visit to the state within a month, attended two other events in Dibrugarh and Dheamji earlier in the day. He left for West Bengal after the meeting at the Guwahati state party headquarters.
