Those opposed to egalitarian society making misleading claims on caste census: CM Siddaramaiah
Koppal (PTI): Defending the social and educational survey — widely referred to as the "caste census" —Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said those opposing the creation of an egalitarian society are making "misleading statements" about it.
The CM also clarified that he has no stand regarding the demand for a separate religious status by the Lingayat community.
He said any decision on extending the caste survey’s deadline will be taken after assessing the coverage achieved by Tuesday evening.
The survey, conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, began on September 22 and is scheduled to conclude on October 7.
"It has been so many years since independence. Should the social and educational survey be conducted or not? If not done, how will we know about individuals’ employment, educational and financial status? What is one’s situation in society? To know that we need data, and to gather data, this survey is being done," Siddaramaiah said in response to questions on allegations that the survey aims to suppress the upper classes.
"There is no question of suppressing anyone. Those who are opposed to the creation of an egalitarian society are making such misleading statements. Those who are opposed to a change in society are opposing it (the survey)," he said while speaking to reporters here.
Responding to a question on Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s statement that he will not participate in the survey, the CM asked whether he would also oppose caste enumeration during the central government’s national census.
Asked whether the survey deadline will be extended, Siddaramaiah said, "Let’s see what happens till Tuesday. I hope we will be able to complete the survey by tomorrow evening. Already 1.10 crore households have been surveyed, achieving 63 per cent coverage by Sunday evening. The remaining households need to be surveyed. We have today and tomorrow, two days, and we are hopeful that we will be able to complete."
On the Lingayat community’s demand for a separate religious status, he said, "I have no stand. The stand of the people is my stand. We will write what they say their religion is during the survey."
On the issue resurfacing, Siddaramaiah said, "The issue has always remained there. Some Virakta math swamijis are demanding it."
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Siddaramaiah and I have come to understanding, we will abide by it: Shivakumar
Karwar (Karnataka) (PTI): Not willing to make any direct statement on whether there will be a chief minister change in the state, Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar on Friday said that he and CM Siddaramaiah have come to an agreement with the involvement of the Congress high command, and both of them will abide by it.
Stating that Siddaramaiah is CM as per the high command's decision, he clarified that he has never made any comments on the former's tenure.
Siddaramaiah, earlier in the day, had affirmed that he would remain in office for his full five-year term, expressing confidence in the Congress high command's support.
During a discussion in the Assembly on the issues pertaining to North Karnataka's development, Siddaramaiah also said he never mentioned that he was the chief minister for only two-and-a-half years.
"I had never said, he (Siddaramaiah) will not be there (as CM) for five years. I have never said that the high command is not with him. As the high command is with him, he is chief minister today," Shivakumar told reporters here.
Noting that Siddaramaiah is in the post of CM as per the decision of the party, he said, "Both of us have come to an agreement, the high command has got us to an understanding, as per that both of us have discussed and have said several times that we will abide by it and go ahead."
Shivakumar, however, chose not to answer a question, whether there will be a change in the chief minister post or not.
To a question on talks about CM change, he said, "It is you (media) who is talking about it, there is no discussion among us. We will abide by what the party says."
The Deputy CM was on a visit to various temples in the Uttara Kannada district on Friday.
To a question linking his visit to the goddess Jagadeeshwari temple in Uttara Kannada district's Ankola, to his chief ministerial ambitions, Shivakumar said, "I don't want to talk about it, it is between me and the mother goddess. It is between the devotee and the deity. What I have prayed to the goddess and what she told me is between us."
He said, five years ago he had come to the temple regarding some issue concerning his family and his wish was fulfilled. "So I'm visiting the temple as a mark of gratitude and to seek blessings for me, the state and the people who believe in me. I'm going back happily."
