Centre has announced caste census, why waste public money again? Asks Nikhil Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: JDS youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy has strongly opposed the state government's move to conduct a fresh caste census, questioning the necessity of it when the central government has already announced its own caste-based survey. He alleged that the state government's move is politically motivated and meant for its own electoral gains.
Speaking to media persons at the JDS party office, JP Bhavan, Nikhil said, “The state government has already spent around Rs 180 crore on the earlier caste census. Now, if they plan to conduct it again, it will result in more public money being wasted. Even after spending so much, they haven’t managed to do it properly.”
He accused the government of trying to push a political agenda through the caste census. “This is not about social or economic development of any community. It’s all about political gains. The government wants to uplift a few communities while suppressing others. That’s the real reason behind this move,” Nikhil alleged.
He further said, “Why should the state conduct another caste census when the Union government has already declared one? The purpose behind this exercise is suspicious. It raises questions about the government’s intentions.”
“The truth is, no real development—social or economic—is taking place. Only politics is being done in the name of caste. The government is trying to implement its political agenda under the pretext of caste census,” he remarked.
On the issue of financial constraints faced by the state, Nikhil Kumaraswamy advised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly. “If the state is facing a funds crunch, the CM should sit down with the Prime Minister and discuss it, instead of announcing projects for political benefits,” he said.
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Probe into Zubeen Garg's death ongoing, no foul play suspected yet: Singapore police
Singapore (PTI): Investigations into the death of singer Zubeen Garg are ongoing but so far no foul play is suspected, Singapore police have said.
Garg died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19.
The case is currently still being investigated by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), in accordance with the Singapore Coroners Act 2010, the police said on Thursday.
“Based on our investigations so far, the SPF does not suspect foul play in the death of Garg,” said the statement.
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Upon completion of the investigations, the findings will be submitted to the State Coroner in Singapore, who will hold a Coroner’s Inquiry (CI), currently scheduled for January and February 2026.
A CI is a fact-finding process led by the Coroner to establish the cause and circumstances of death. Its findings will be made public upon conclusion, said the SPF.
Singapore police are committed to conducting a thorough and professional investigation into the case, it said.
“We seek the patience and understanding of the parties involved. Meanwhile, we urge the public not to speculate and spread unverified information,” said SPF.
A Special Investigation Team probing Garg's death charged four accused, including the singer’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, with murder in a chargesheet filed in a court in India last week.
Garg was due to perform at the 4th Northeast India Festival at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 20.
