Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes DK Shivakumar's stand on caste census
Says Shivakumar, BJP both are one on Caste issue
New Delhi: In a public critique, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed disapproval of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar's stance on releasing the State's caste census report.
The comments come amid reports of differences between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar on the issue.
During a discussion on two Bills related to Jammu and Kashmir in the Rajya Sabha, senior BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi raised concerns about the Congress's commitment to Other Backward Communities (OBCs). Sushil Kumar Modi specifically pointed to Shivakumar's opposition to making the caste survey report public.
ALSO READ: Hoax call claiming bomb at Raj Bhavan sends Bengaluru cops into tizzy
Sushil Kumar Modi urged Kharge to clarify the Congress's position on the release of the caste census report, citing Shivakumar's signature on a petition against its public disclosure. In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi noted that not only Shivakumar but also Congress MLAs and Veerashaiva Mahasabha leaders had opposed the release of the report.
Kharge, in his response, accused both Shivakumar and the BJP of being against the caste census report. He highlighted the unity among upper caste individuals on this matter, stating, "All upper caste people are united on this. He [Shivakumar] is also opposing, you are also opposing. Both are one in this issue. This is the character of caste. Upper caste people will be united internally."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
3 killed, 15 injured in fire after blast at firecracker unit in MP's Dewas; CM orders probe
Dewas/Indore (PTI): At least three workers were killed and 15 persons injured after a fire broke out following an explosion at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district on Thursday, an official said.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and ordered an investigation. The state government will provide an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased, and the injured will receive free treatment, he said in a post on X.
Three persons were killed in the fire at the firecracker unit located in Tonk Kalan area, and around 15 injured persons were sent to hospitals in Indore and Dewas, Collector Rituraj Singh told reporters after inspecting the site.
Videos of the aftermath surfaced on social media, showing thick white smoke billowing from the factory along the Agra–Mumbai national highway. The clips also showed people rushing the injured for treatment amid cries for help, with body parts seen scattered at the site.
The collector said the fire has been brought under control. The administration has taken possession of explosives stored at another location within the unit, he said.
The work to manufacture small firecrackers at the factory of a person named Anil Malviya had begun only 15 days ago, and a licence has been issued for the unit, the collector said.
A detailed investigation is underway into the incident, he added.
CM Yadav said, "I have directed Deputy Chief Minister and Dewas district guardian minister Jagdish Devda, the home secretary and senior officials to visit the spot. An inquiry has also been ordered into the incident."
Local residents said there was a massive explosion at the factory, and the victims' body parts were found scattered far away from the site.
They said construction work was underway at the site and different sheds were being built there.
