Karnataka caste survey is model of how not to conduct census: R. Ashoka
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, has strongly criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement suggesting that the Karnataka caste survey should serve as a model for national implementation.
Sharing his views on social media platform X, Ashoka called the Karnataka caste survey a “laughable model” and highlighted several flaws: the original copy is reportedly missing, the survey lacks proper official signatures, schoolchildren were allegedly paid Rs 5–10 per page to fill out forms, and surveyors skipped houses with dogs. He said the survey, even after ten years, exemplifies how *not* to conduct a caste census.
He refuted the claim that the BJP has always opposed caste census, calling it a “blatant lie.” Ashoka pointed out that in 2010, the then Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the late Sushma Swaraj, had formally conveyed to the UPA government BJP’s support for including caste enumeration in the 2011 census. He also reminded that BJP supported the unanimous resolution passed in Parliament at the time.
However, he criticised the then Congress-led government for replacing the caste census with the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), which he claimed failed due to poor planning and ineffective implementation, despite the massive public expenditure involved. He noted that the results of that survey were never released, which, according to him, shows Congress’s lack of genuine commitment to caste-based data.
Ashoka emphasised that the BJP never used caste census as an electoral weapon. “Unlike Congress, which weeps in opposition but ignores the issue in power, BJP made concrete efforts while in office,” he said, adding that BJP’s stand has always been clear, caste census must not be politicised or misused.
He concluded by stating that the upcoming caste census planned by the central government will be conducted transparently, scientifically, and with sincerity, unlike the politically motivated approach of the Karnataka government.
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If you have a conscience, apologize to the people: R Ashoka slams Yathindra over Nalwadi comparison
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a scathing attack on MLC Dr. Yathindra, demanding that he retract his controversial statement comparing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the late Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Ashoka urged Yathindra to apologize to the people of Karnataka if he had even a shred of conscience and any respect for the Mysuru royal lineage.
In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Ashoka stated, “Comparing Siddaramaiah to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is nothing short of absurd. Where is Nalwadi, who was bestowed the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by Mahatma Gandhi himself, and where is Siddaramaiah, who has stooped to being a puppet in the hands of fake Gandhis for the sake of power?”
He continued his critique by contrasting the enduring legacy of Nalwadi, remembered fondly by Kannadigas for his people-centric development, with what he termed as Siddaramaiah’s failure to manage Karnataka’s economy, burdening every household with debt.
Ashoka highlighted several stark differences, while Nalwadi built Mysore University over a century ago, Siddaramaiah is shutting down nine universities due to lack of funds. Nalwadi famously sold his family’s gold to build the KRS dam, whereas Siddaramaiah is accused of grabbing 14 sites meant for the public. Nalwadi established Bhadravati Iron & Steel Plant, Sandalwood Soap Factory, and Mysore Paper Mills. In contrast, Ashoka claimed Siddaramaiah's governance drove away industries, investors, and entrepreneurs. Nalwadi pioneered reservations for the backward classes long before it became mainstream. Siddaramaiah, Ashoka alleged, is reducing social justice to a gimmick by sticking labels on doors in the name of surveys.
While acknowledging Yathindra’s emotional attachment to his father, Ashoka emphasized that comparing Siddaramaiah to a visionary like Nalwadi was “laughable, baseless, and a gross insult” to the late king.
In his concluding remarks, Ashoka slammed the government for ignoring farmers’ needs despite an early monsoon. He accused the administration of being caught up in internal power struggles and negligence, forcing farmers into despair. “This government will not be spared from the curse of the farmers,” he warned.
