Nishikant Dubey challenges Rahul Gandhi on caste census implementation in Karnataka
New Delhi: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has sharply criticized Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his stance on the caste census, questioning why the Congress has not implemented it in Karnataka, where the party is in power. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Dubey pointed out that despite Congress' claims of advocating for OBC rights, it has historically opposed OBC reservations and has never appointed an OBC Chief Minister in key states like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
Dubey further challenged Gandhi, asking why the Congress did not conduct a caste census during its tenure in 2011 and why it has not acted on a caste-based census report in Karnataka. He also accused the Congress of attempting to extend OBC reservations to 86 Christian and 56 Muslim castes "through the back door," despite these religions not traditionally recognizing caste systems.
The BJP MP emphasized that the current Prime Minister, a member of a backward community, has done more for OBCs than the Congress, which he claimed only began talking about OBC issues after the Prime Minister set the agenda.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Health Minister JP Nadda also criticized Gandhi earlier this month, questioning the OBC representation in Congress-linked organizations like the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Sitharaman challenged Gandhi to reflect on his party's practices before criticizing the BJP's approach to OBC reservations.
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Puttur: Four arrested for alleged negligent disposal of Dalit labourer’s body
Puttur (Karnataka), Nov 26: Four people have been arrested for allegedly disposing of a Dalit labourer’s body negligently in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, police said on Tuesday.
The deceased, Shivappa (70), a resident of Keremoole near Sullia, worked as an assistant mason at Tauro Cement Fabrication Unit in Salmara village. He reportedly collapsed and died during work hours on November 16.
Instead of providing medical assistance or notifying his family, the factory owner, Henry Tauro, allegedly loaded Shivappa’s body onto a pickup truck and dumped it near his home, placing it on wooden logs by the roadside, according to police.
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The incident sparked outrage among Dalit organisations in Puttur, including the Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha, who demanded a thorough investigation.
Protests over delays in apprehending the accused intensified public pressure, leading to the arrests of Tauro, his son Kiran, their assistant Prakash, and a mason named Stany.
According to a complaint lodged by Shivappa's son-in-law, the accused brought Shivappa home unresponsive on the evening of November 16. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Atrocities Against Dalits Act, and investigations are underway to establish the cause of death and examine allegations of mishandling the victim’s body, police added.
