State Government using caste census to divert attention from stampede tragedy: BJP Chief Vijayendra
Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra has accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of indulging in “conspiracy politics” by blaming the Centre for the state’s financial and administrative failures.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Vijayendra said the Chief Minister, while attending the 16th Finance Commission meeting in Delhi, attempted to deflect attention from his government’s inefficiencies by targeting the Union Government. “Although he must be appreciated for representing Karnataka at the meeting, it's unfortunate to see him trying to shift the blame,” Vijayendra said.
He alleged that the state is failing to manage funds for fulfilling its guarantee schemes and is halting developmental work, leading Siddaramaiah to make partial statements such as “Karnataka gets only ₹13 for every ₹100 it gives.” He said the state is not utilising Central grants properly and is even cutting funds for Union Government schemes.
On the issue of caste census, Vijayendra claimed that the Congress-led government is only now talking about it to distract the public from the recent RCB celebration stampede that killed 11 people. “About three months ago, the government faced pressure due to our protests. Siddaramaiah had then promised to implement the Kantharaj Commission report, but even after four or five cabinet meetings, nothing was done,” he said.
He termed the caste census data “unscientific” and said the government was now feigning interest under public pressure. “The Centre has already announced that both population and caste census will be conducted. But the state government has no clarity or commitment on this and is simply trying to create confusion,” he added.
Vijayendra also alleged that a newly formed special squad in Dakshina Kannada district is being used not to curb communal violence, but to target Hindu activists and BJP workers. “We recently visited the district and met with officials. This is nothing but a strategy to intimidate our party workers,” he said.
He concluded by asserting that the Congress government in Karnataka lacks the intent to bring the caste census issue to a logical end and is using it for political gains.
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Odisha caste row ends; children return to anganwadi centre, consume food cooked by Dalit helper
Kendrapara (Odisha) (PTI): A three-month-long caste row at an anganwadi centre in a village in Odisha's Kendrapara district ended on Monday as upper caste children returned to the facility and consumed food cooked by a Dalit woman helper.
Of the 20 children on the roll, 16 came to the anganwadi centre in Nuagaon village under Ghalimala gram panchayat with their parents and accepted the food cooked by the helper, with the absentees reporting ill.
The anganwadi centre remained shut since November 21 last year, following the appointment of Sharmistha Sethy, a Dalit woman, as a helper, with several upper caste families refusing to send their wards to the facility or even accept nutritious food items supplied by the government for pregnant women and lactating mothers.
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The caste row triggered nationwide outrage, and the matter was even raised in Parliament, with Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, voicing concern over caste discrimination in the workplace.
On Monday, Kendrapara Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Dipali Mishra and Rajnagar MLA Dhruba Charan Sahoo were present at the anganwadi centre to welcome the children.
"I served ragi ladoos to the children. Later, I cooked rice and 'dalma' (vegetable curry) and served the children. Seeing them eat the meals made me overjoyed. They also played with toys, bringing back life to the centre, which was left deserted for around three months," Sethy said.
"I hope caste discrimination will not lurk its ugly head in the village anymore," she added.
CDPO Mishra said the children, flanked by their guardians, had joyous moments at the centre.
"The centre functioned sans the children for almost three months due to some villagers' disagreement over the appointment of Sharmistha Sethy as the anganwadi centre helper. Now, the vibrancy is back," Mishra said.
On the absentees, the CDPO said they could not join as they are not well.
"We hope the absentee children will come to the centre on Tuesday as the dispute has been resolved. People have decided to relegate the differences to the background. This is heartening," she added.
Rajnagar MLA Dhurba Charan Sahoo said, "The issue is now a thing of the past. I hope the camaraderie among the villagers will remain intact."
Taking to X, Kendrapara MP and BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda said, "Delighted at children having a nutritious meal today at the Nuagaon anganwadi which I had reviewed yesterday and had a wonderful lunch along with local leaders and villagers. It was heartening to see the community coming together to ensure great beginnings for their children."
Panda, who hails from the Brahmin community, and other upper caste villagers joined a feast where Sethy served food to the guests on Sunday.
State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) member Sujata Nayak hailed the children's return to the centre and said the commission will launch an awareness drive aimed at safeguarding the rights of the children.
Kendrapara district sub-collector Arun Nayak had earlier said the matter was resolved in the presence of stakeholders, including members of the SCPCR and Odisha State Commission for Women, as the officials sensitised villagers on the matter.
