Karnataka BC Commission slams BJP leaders for 'discouraging' participation in caste survey
_vb_20.jpeg)
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes on Monday criticised opposition BJP leaders for "discouraging" public participation in the ongoing social and educational survey, popularly known as the caste survey.
The survey, launched on September 22, will continue until October 7.
Commission Chairperson Madhusudan Naik said dissuading people from participating is "not in the larger public interest".
"In our view, certain people’s representatives have made public statements, reported in newspapers and other media, stating they will not participate in the survey and urging the public to follow suit," Naik said in a statement.
"Such statements, purportedly referring to the Hon’ble Court’s order, are against the spirit of that order," he added.
Naik explained that the survey aims "to collect information on the social and educational conditions of all families in the State, for formulating schemes and implementing developmental programmes for their welfare and advancement in accordance with statutory provisions."
"However, the public statements referred to above amount to dissuading people from taking part in the survey, which is undertaken for the public good. Since citizens are voluntarily participating, and there is no compulsion, such statements are not in the larger public interest," Naik added.
He appealed to political leaders to avoid such remarks "lest a wrong message is conveyed to the public".
Naik also clarified that participation "is voluntary and citizens are not obliged to disclose any information."
The Karnataka High Court had directed that if a person declines to participate, enumerators should not "persuade or pressurise them."
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Urban District Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha appealed to residents not to "fall for rumours" about the survey.
"The social and educational survey is being conducted effectively throughout Bengaluru Urban District. However, some residents hesitate to register their information due to rumours that their ration cards will be cancelled," he said in a statement.
"No ration cards will be cancelled during the survey. The collected data will be instrumental in formulating schemes to address social, educational, and economic inequalities across the state," he added.
Jagadeesha urged people to participate in the survey "without inhibition or fear".
On Sunday, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed apprehension that Karnataka’s caste survey data "could be sold", questioning the intentions behind the exercise.
He alleged that "many unwanted details" are being collected, including income, income tax paid, widows at home, caste discrimination faced, and membership in social organisations.
Joshi said neither he nor his family would provide information to enumerators.
The BJP has opposed the caste survey, calling it "divisive" and objecting to the inclusion of categories such as ‘Vokkaliga Christians’, ‘Lingayat Christians’, ‘Vishwa Brahmin Christians’, ‘Nekara Christians’ and ‘Madivala Christians’. Following opposition from both the BJP and some Congress leaders, these categories were dropped from the survey.
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.
At UN, India flags concerns over targeting of vessels in Strait of Hormuz
United Nations (PTI): Targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable", India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Parvathaneni Harish has said.
Harish's remarks at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on safeguarding energy and supply flows came days after an India-flagged commercial vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman.
Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members of the vessel sailing from Somalia, but it was not immediately known who carried out the strike.
In a post on X on Sunday, Harish said that at the UNECOSOC meeting, he shared India's approach to the recent energy and fertiliser crisis caused by the West Asia conflict.
"A combination of short-term and structural measures alongside international cooperation are essential to respond to the crisis," he said.
"Reiterated that targeting of commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, are unacceptable. International law in this regard must be fully respected," he added.
The attack on the India-flagged vessel on May 13 took place amid the fragile situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway close to the coast of Oman through which roughly one-fifth of the world's energy supplies pass.
It has been severely disrupted by the conflict in West Asia that started on February 28, with the US and Israel launching joint attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes.
Earlier, India had described the attack as "unacceptable".
At least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the conflict broke out.
According to the UNECOSOC website, the meeting, which took place on Friday, focused on “Safeguarding energy and supply flows: Supporting global development through international cooperation”.
