‘Political gimmick…’: Labour Minister Santosh Lad slams BJP over caste census

BENGALURU: Labour Minister Santosh Lad on Thursday criticised the BJP for questioning the state government’s decision to re-conduct the caste census, calling it a “political gimmick” and reaffirmed the Congress party’s continued support for the excercise.

Speaking to reporters on the caste census, Santosh Lad said, “As for the taxpayer money, I am not aware of how much more money will be spent. Already 160 crore and bit of the central assistance has been spent. Let us finish today’s cabinet meeting, and then I could fill in with the other details.”

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement on PM Modi, Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad says, “…Whatever Mallikarjun Kharge has been telling is absolutely true. I endorse it because it’s true…”

On the caste survey, he says, “I am not aware of how… pic.twitter.com/LR5ymzZOrw

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“You (media) should ask the BJP because they have always opposed reservation, they opposed the Mandal Commission and all other reservations in the country. The people who have been opposing the caste census, come out suddenly and in a blue moon one of their Minister announces that they would start the caste census. These are all political gimmicks, while Congress has always been talking about caste census. We are on the verge of completing it,” said Lad.

Earlier in the day, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that today’s cabinet meeting will discuss the caste census re-survey, as several communities have raised concerns about missing or incorrect data.

Speaking to mediapersons, Parameshwara said, “We will discuss it in today’s cabinet meeting. Many people have raised many questions. Therefore, we will review it in today’s special cabinet meeting. We also discussed whether it should be taken to the session. The party high command has also asked us to review it. Some people have said that our community has been left out. Some have said their numbers are less than the actual. That is why we are discussing it today.”

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar questioned the BJP’s intention in questioning the state government’s decision to re-conduct the caste census. “The BJP was opposed to the earlier caste census, citing data sanctity issues. We have announced a redo of the census, but the BJP is still opposing this too,” he said, while speaking to reporters here.

Asked about BJP criticising the decision to reconduct the caste census, he said, “The BJP did not accept the earlier caste census report, why the opposition now when we are trying to address the concerns? We are not rejecting the earlier census, we are only trying to correct the shortcomings of the earlier survey in order to allay concerns of several communities.”

Asked if the survey would be conducted in a scientific manner this time, he said, “The modalities would be discussed in the Cabinet meeting. Several communities, including Lambanis, Jains, Bestha communities had met me and raised concerns on the earlier survey. The previous survey was also done scientifically through door-to-door visits, but some of the people were hesitant to share their caste details. Our national leaders have given us certain guidelines. The AICC President too has given us many suggestions. The CM will discuss this in the Cabinet meeting and make a decision.”

Bihar, Karnataka and Telangana have already conducted a caste census in their respective state. Telangana has also implemented a 42 per cent backwards class reservation for people in the state.

The Karnataka State Commission for Backwards Classes has also submitted the caste census (socio, economic and educational survey) report to the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet. The caste census report, if released, will be the second by a Congress-ruled state, after Telangana. (ANI)