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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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.
