Bangalore: Archbishop welcomes K’taka Caste Census, urges inclusion of Christian communities
Bengaluru: The Archdiocese of Bangalore, along with bishops, pastors, and Christian community leaders across Karnataka, has extended support to the ongoing Social and Educational Survey (Caste Census) being carried out in the state from September 22 to October 7.
Addressing the press on behalf of the community, Archbishop Rev. Dr. Peter Machado said the census would play a vital role in identifying the real beneficiaries of government welfare schemes. He noted that proper classification of caste groups will help frame policies and programmes that are just, inclusive, and based on actual needs. The Archbishop stressed that the survey would also assist the state in correcting disparities and ensuring that the weakest and most marginalised are not left behind.
At the same time, the Archbishop voiced concerns about the omission of certain castes linked to Christianity in the published lists. He expressed hope that such exclusions would be rectified during the final analysis of the survey. “Deletions, if any, risk denying historical communities their rightful recognition and may cause injustice in accessing welfare schemes. The Church urges the government to take note of these exclusions and ensure fair representation of all Christian communities,” he said.
The Church has also issued guidelines to the faithful, asking them to truthfully disclose their caste identity wherever they feel comfortable, but to ensure they declare their religion as Christian. Members have been advised to fully cooperate with census personnel and keep Aadhaar cards linked to their mobile numbers ready for OTP verification during the process.
Archbishop Machado has directed every parish and church to make clear announcements about the census and mobilise volunteers from among youth groups, laity, women’s associations, and parish organisations to assist families. He emphasised that no member of the community should be left out of the survey.
Calling the exercise both a constitutional duty and a step towards justice and equity, the Archbishop appealed to the Christian community to participate responsibly. “A fair and complete census will ensure that welfare measures reach all communities of Karnataka,” he said.
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BJP has history of ‘contradictory alliances’, says BK Hariprasad
Bengaluru: Congress MLC B. K. Hariprasad has launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing the party of hypocrisy over its criticism of alliance politics in Tamil Nadu.
In a post on X on Friday, Hariprasad said BJP leader B. L. Santhosh criticising the Congress party’s alliance politics in Tamil Nadu was “not just laughable, but the height of political contradiction.”
He said the Congress has always joined hands with like-minded parties to protect secular and democratic values in the country.
Hariprasad questioned the BJP over several of its past and present alliances across the country. Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tripura, Bihar and Maharashtra, he accused the BJP of sharing power with parties it had earlier criticised.
He alleged that the BJP had aligned with separatist and corruption-linked political forces in different states for political gains.
“The BJP, which speaks against alliances today, should first look at its own political history,” he said, adding that the party’s record was full of “contradictions and changing stands.”
Hariprasad also accused the BJP of using central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and CBI as political tools to target opposition leaders, topple governments and influence electoral mandates.
He further claimed that the people of Tamil Nadu had strongly rejected the BJP and its ideology in the recent election.
“Congress forms alliances to protect the Constitution, secularism and national unity, while the BJP enters into alliances only for power,” he said.
