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.
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Pak police registers case against unidentified gunmen for opening fire on LeT co-founder
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Lahore (PTI): Pakistan's Punjab Police on Friday registered a case against unidentified gunmen for opening fire on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) co-founder Amir Hamza, who suffered bullet injuries in the attack in Lahore.
On Thursday, two unidentified gunmen riding on a bike opened fire on the vehicle of the private TV channel 24NewsHD TV, owned by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, on Peco Road in Lahore near the TV channel's office.
In the attack, Hamza suffered bullet injuries.
"The FIR has been registered against unidentified gunmen, but it is sealed forthwith," a senior police officer told PTI.
He said the intelligence agencies have taken over this case from the police, and they are currently investigating the matter.
The channel's religious programme host Justice (retd.) Nazir Ahmed Ghazi and Hamza were in the vehicle when it was attacked. Hamza was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Punjab police on Friday said that "upon receiving information about the incident, the SSP Operations immediately reached the scene and a high alert was imposed in the area. SSP Operations Tauqeer Naeem also met the affected individuals. Thankfully, all present in the vehicle remained safe during the firing."
It further said senior police officers of the Township and Chung, along with a heavy police contingent, were present at the scene.
"Police collected evidence from the site and initiated an investigation. Efforts to arrest the suspects are underway using CCTV footage and geo-fencing techniques. Search and sweep operations are being conducted at various locations, with scrutiny of suspicious individuals ongoing," police said.
It added that those involved in the incident will be traced and arrested soon.
The police sources said that Hamza has been shifted to his residence in Jauhar Town, Lahore, where police and agency personnel met him.
The leadership of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political front of Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's banned Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD), including Hafiz Saeed's son Hafiz Talha Saeed, also called on him.
TV host retired Justice Ghazi, who remained unhurt in the attack, remained a legal counsel for Hafiz Saeed, they said.
The PMML has strongly condemned the attack on Hamza and demanded that those involved in the incident be arrested immediately.
Hamza is regarded as LeT's second most important leader after its chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since 2019 after getting convicted for several years in terror financing cases.
Hamza has been designated as a terrorist by the US. In the past, he served as the head of LeT's "special campaigns" department.
In 2018, Hamza formed a fundraising group for the LeT following a ban on the JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation by the Pakistani government.
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