Caste census: Cong govt trying to divide Hindu society, it's 'unfortunate', says BJP
Shivamogga (PTI): With the Social and Education Survey, popularly known as 'caste census' commencing in Karnataka on Monday, state BJP President B Y Vijayendra accused the Congress government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of trying to divide the Hindu society, and called it "unfortunate".
He termed the caste census as the "misadventure" of the state government, despite it not having any powers to conduct such a survey.
"The caste census has reached the High Court...the chief minister, who should be thinking about the development of the state, is involving himself in attempts to divide the Hindu society. This is an unfortunate thing for the state," Vijayendra said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "People are discussing it. People and society have become aware now, but there is a need for Hindu society to become more aware. This misadventure of the state government, despite them not having any powers to do the cast census is condemnable. We will see what happens at the court."
The survey by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes that will go on till October 7, will see as many as 1.75 lakh enumerators, mostly government school teachers, covering around 7 crore people in approximately 2 crore households across the state.
The survey, at an estimated cost of Rs 420 crore, will be conducted "scientifically," with a 60-question questionnaire prepared for the exercise, according to officials.
Regarding International Booker Prize winner writer Banu Mushtaq inaugurating Mysuru Dasara, despite objections, Vijayendra said, this shows the mindset of CM Siddaramaiah and the Congress government.
"There have been enough discussions on this issue for the last one month. A petition challenging this has been rejected at the Supreme Court. More than what has happened in the High Court and Supreme Court, the chief minister wanting to play a mad game even in connection with Dasara festival is something people are discussing," he said.
The famous Mysuru Dasara was inaugurated on Monday amid controversy, with objections from some sections, against the government's decision to invite Mushtaq to inaugurate the festival.
Pointing to the government's attitude in connection with the Dharmasthala issue, Ganesha festival celebrations and Mysuru Dasara, the BJP chief said, nowhere such issues are happening in the country.
On matters concerning Hindus, their religious celebrations, culture and traditions, there is no problem in other states. Problems are occuring in Karnataka because the chief minister of the state is giving an opportunity for it. Let anyone inaugurate Dasara, but the people of the state have understood the mindset of this government and the CM, he said.
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea challenging the Karnataka High Court's decision upholding the state government's invitation to Mushtaq to inaugurate Dasara.
The controversy surrounding the government's decision to invite Mushtaq to inaugurate Dasara, stems from allegations that she has made statements in the past that are perceived by some as "anti-Hindu" and "anti Kannada".
Critics have argued that her selection for the festival, which traditionally begins with Vedic rituals and floral offerings to Goddess Chamundeshwari, disrespects religious sentiments and long-standing traditions associated with the event.
Objections have been raised by BJP leaders and others to the state government's decision to invite Mushtaq to inaugurate the Dasara festivities, following an old video that went viral, in which she has reportedly expressed reservations about worshipping the Kannada language as "Goddess Bhuvaneshwari", stating that it was exclusionary to people like her (minorities).
However, Mushtaq, on her part, has said that her statement has been distorted by making selective parts of her old speech go viral on social media.
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.
Om Birla attends swearing-in of new B'desh PM, says India stands ready to support BNP govt
New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday attended the swearing-in ceremony of new Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, and said India stands ready to support Bangladesh's endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation.
Separately, the speaker called on the new Bangladesh prime minister and conveyed the wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also handed over an invitation from Prime Minister Modi to Rahman to visit India, officials said here.
“Glad to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka today. India stands ready to support Bangladesh’s endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation,” Birla posted on X.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said in a post on X, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman conveys his greetings to India and PM Narendra Modi to the visiting India Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at a courtesy meet following the swearing-in of the new government.
“Speaker Birla conveyed wishes and an invitation to India. Both leaders expressed optimism to work together for the well-being of the people of Bangladesh and India, pursuing a people-centric menu of cooperation.”
Birla also met Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and other leaders on the sidelines of the event.
Led by Rahman, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) swept to power with a two-thirds majority with 49.97 per cent votes and 209 seats in the polls held on February 12, results for which were declared on February 13.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, registered its best-ever performance with 31.76 per cent votes and 68 seats.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) secured the third-highest number of seats, six, and 3.05 per cent votes.
Bangladesh had invited Narendra Modi to the ceremony, but the prime minister could not attend the event as he was scheduled to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on Tuesday.
On reaching Dhaka, Birla said the swearing-in of Rahman was an important moment that would strengthen people-to-people relations and shared democratic values between the two neighbours.
“Honoured to be in Dhaka representing India at the swearing-in ceremony of the new government led by Tarique Rahman as the prime minister. It's an important moment that will strengthen people-to-people ties and shared democratic values between our two nations,” Birla said.
Birla was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials.
