Caste census: RSS says open to caste data collection for welfare, not politics
Palakkad (Kerala), Aug 2: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said on Monday it has no objection to collecting data on specific communities or castes, provided that the information is used for their welfare and not exploited as a political tool for electoral gains.
Addressing the media here after a three-day coordination conclave called Samanway Baithak in this district, Sunil Ambekar, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, said caste and caste-relations were a "very sensitive issue" for the Hindu society and it is an important issue "for our national unity and integrity".
He was responding to a query on caste census.
So, it should be dealt with "very seriously" and not just on the basis of elections or politics.
"So, as RSS thinks, yes, definitely for all welfare activities, addressing to the particular community or caste which is lagging behind and so special attention is needed to some communities and caste. So, for that the government needs the numbers. It is very well practiced. So, the government needs numbers, it takes. Earlier also it has taken. So, it can take it. No problem."
"But it should be only to address the welfare of the those communities and caste. It should not be used as a political tool for electioneering. And so we put with a caution line for everyone," Ambekar said.
Ambekar's statement comes amidst campaigning by the opposition parties-- the Congress, Samajwadi Party and other INDIA bloc allies, seeking to hold a caste census for effective policymaking.
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Udupi: Theft at temple in Kadiyali prevented by timely action of security guard
two men handed over to police
Udupi: Two men who are learned to have broken into Mahishamardini Temple at Kadiyali early Saturday morning were held by the locals on being alerted by the security guard and handed over to the police.
The thieves are said to have threatened the security guard with a knife, as he raised a ruckus on noticing the duo entering the temple, before escaping from the spot. The locals rushed to the temple premises and, on checking the CCTV camera footage, they found that two men had entered the premises and also escaped from there. Further, the locals looked for the thieves and found them near a petrol bunk in Kadiyali.
One of the thieves is learned to have developed a seizure and collapsed. His associate, who attempted to help him, escaped from the spot on noticing the people coming after them.
The locals, on finding that the health condition of the man who had collapsed was critical, reportedly gave him first aid and took him to the Ajjarakadu District Hospital with the help of social activist Nithyananda Olakadu.
They also succeeded in finding the second thief and handed both the men over to the police. The thieves are found to be natives of Kerala.
The security guard of the temple was lauded for his timely action.
