Caste census: BJP leaders petition Guv over dual identities
Bengaluru (PTI): A delegation of Karnataka BJP leaders and others on Tuesday petitioned Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot regarding the upcoming social and educational survey, popularly known as "caste census" list, with at least 46 castes that contain dual identities, having both Christian and Hindu caste name.
Highlighting that castes with dual identities like 'Kuruba Christian', 'Brahmin Christian', 'Vokkaliga Christian' among others, may lead to confusion and give opportunity for a large-scale religious conversion, they urged the Governor to intervene and issue necessary instructions to the government.
BJP MPs Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, P C Mohan, party state General Secretary and MLA Sunil Kumar among others were part of the delegation that met the Governor, after holding extensive discussion regarding the caste census issue, under the banner "Samajika Nyaya Jaagruti Vedike".
"The Congress Government is playing with fire instead of strengthening backward communities, this survey risks creating chaos, confusion, and conflict. It is nothing but a politically motivated gimmick at the cost of taxpayers' money," the petition by the delegation said.
"We therefore urge your excellency to kindly intervene in this matter and in your constitutional capacity, advise the Government of Karnataka against proceeding with this flawed and divisive exercise at this juncture. A fool proof, transparent, and credible survey--undertaken in alignment with the Union Government's 2026-27 national exercise -- is the only acceptable way forward."
The BJP stands firmly committed to protecting the interests of all communities in Karnataka, it further said, adding, "we will not allow the Congress Government to misuse the caste survey for political mileage and to divide society."
The state's Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as the 'caste census' will be conducted between September 22 and October 7 at an estimated cost of Rs 420 crore.
Later speaking to reporters, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said the "artificial inclusion" of 46 sub-castes under the category of Christians like -- Billava Chrisitian, Brahmana-Christian, Vokkaliga-Chrisitian, Jangama-Christian, was "unnecessary".
Stating that it may lead to more confusion, and give opportunity for conversion to happen at a large scale, he said, "This goes against the sentiments of the population at large. The Chief Minister should certainly reconsider these elements, and in the case of the artificial sub-castes which have been given the Christian category, he should permanently remove them and do the survey in a scientific manner."
Noting that a petition has been submitted to the Governor informing him about objections, Wadiyar said, "Within the framework available to the Governor, he said he will be helping our stands."
Asked as to what the BJP's plan of action will be if the government doesn't reconsider, he said, "we have already considered a legal recourse to this matter going forward. Along with that our andolan (agitation) will also continue on the street, and various community organisations will also take this forward."
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
