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India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Siddaramaiah's son hits out at Congress for blocking Karnataka caste survey
Congress MLC and son of Karnataka Chief Minister, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, criticised his own party for failing to implement the findings of the caste survey in the state. He blamed resistance from influential individuals within certain communities for blocking the release and implementation of the report, accusing them of using minor objections as justification.'If we had released and implemented the caste survey, it would have strengthened the backward class communities. These communities have been marginalised for a long time, and the survey could have paved the way for increased reservation for them,' Yathindra alleged that despite the potential of the survey to bring structural benefits to historically disadvantaged groups, some influential people from particular communities had opposed it. 'They have cited trivial reasons, like it is a 10-year-old survey, that the entire population wasn't covered and did not allow to implement it,' he added. His remarks come following the Karnataka Cabinet's unanimous decision to carry out a fresh Socio-Economic and Education Survey, popularly referred to as the 'Karnataka caste census', ten years after the original survey was undertaken in 2015. On June 12, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who had initiated the original survey during his previous tenure, said the decision followed recommendations from the state's Backward Classes Commission and legal provisions under the Backward Classes Act, 1995, which mandates a fresh survey every decade. advertisementPolitical shifts, including the refusal of former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and later the BJP government to accept the 2015 report, delayed its implementation. With the final recommendations submitted in February this year, the Cabinet has now resolved to authorise a new survey to be completed within 90 days. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the updated survey would reflect changing demographics and socio-economic conditions, with provisions for online participation by Kannadigas outside the state. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Bengaluru
Hans India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
From ‘Kamandal' to Mandal, politics takes a new direction
Caste politics is a grim and ever-present reality in India. Over the years, it has become a desensitised, easy to calculate arithmetic for all political parties. No outfit that survives only on casteist politics attempts to justify its existence anymore, as it has become part of mainstream political tactics. However, the muddled and manipulative methods to inflate the influence of each of the leading caste groups for brazen political mileage and allied benefits would have to undergo a reality check soon. Hopefully. The Centre has bitten the bullet and is to take up a caste census survey alongside the Census enumeration exercise, in two phases. While this activity is still nearly two years away from gaining momentum, in the neighbourhood, the Congress government in Karnataka has retracted its earlier 2015-16 caste census report and announced a fresh one. This was because the Siddaramaiah government had to acknowledge the vociferous opposition by two of the leading castes – Vokkaligas and Lingayats – who accused the report of underrepresenting their numbers while inflating others, including the minority population, which avowedly was more than one of the castes. Even as the new caste census is waiting to take-off, the BJP, as expected, has not stopped its trenchant criticism in this regard. They not only accuse the government of having been dishonest with the earlier report but allege that the new caste survey announcement is to divert attention from the monumental stampede tragedy which rocked the state and the cricket-loving country in the first week of June. The official reason is still that the new socio-economic and educational survey would be more inclusive as the earlier one was found deficient in certain aspects. This opinion too has not gone uncontested as some OBC castes seem to be content with the findings of the earlier survey and have agreed to its implementation. With the High Command in Delhi setting a deadline of less than three months to complete the re-enumeration exercise as of present, the Karnataka government may take it up expeditiously. Moreover, with the bragging rights still with the GOP for initiating this contentious exercise and coming up with a report, however contentious, it would want to hold on to its head start in this regard. Meanwhile, opposition to the findings of the earlier report was not just from various caste groups in the State, but also from ministers, representing different castes, who feared that the ground would slip from beneath their feet if they allowed implementation of the survey report. Interestingly, Yathindra, Congress MLC and son of the incumbent Chief Minister, said something similar that highlights the collective backing for the earlier survey report among the non-Vokkaliga, Lingayat formations. He even explained in detail how the backward classes, including the minorities, accounted for 75 per cent of the population, while decrying the fact they were not adequately represented in society. In the 1990s, the BJP had used 'Kamandal', a reference to the Hindu sentiment to blunt the rise of Mandal Commission fallout to come to power in various states, before optimally exploiting it to seize control at the Centre in 2014. Is history about to repeat itself?
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Caste census report scrapped due to opposition from some sections in Karnataka'
MYSURU Days after the Congress government announced a fresh caste census in Karnataka, Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the State Government was unable to implement the earlier report, which would have ensured more reservation to backward classes, due to opposition from certain sections. Addressing a public meeting at Karadikoppalu in Mandya on June 15, Mr. Yathindra said a comprehensive report had been submitted on the social, educational and economic condition of different castes after a survey was conducted during Mr. Siddaramaiah's earlier tenure as Chief Minister. 'If implemented, the backward classes, who have been denied of opportunities for a long period of time, would have got more reservation,' he said. But, the report could not be implemented due to strong opposition from certain sections that sought to raise 'small' objections, like the lapse of 10 years since the census was conducted (in 2015), he said. Pointing out that the survey will now have to be conducted afresh, Mr. Yathindra said the earlier report had showed that backward classes are in large numbers, accounting for more than 50% of the population, and adding up to about 75%, including Muslims. 'But, the opportunities for the backward classes were not in proportion to their population. So, the reservation for them should be increased,' he said. Mr. Yathindra said an increase in the quantum of reservation would benefit even Vokkaligas and Lingayats, as they are also 'shudras', and part of the backward classes. While the previous BJP government planned to snatch the 4% reservation from Muslims and give 2% each to Vokkaligas and Lingayats, the earlier caste census report would have ensured 3% to each, he added. Referring to the 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections among Forward Castes, the Congress MLC regretted that the same was implemented without any objection even though they account for just 4% of the population in Karnataka. He called upon the gathering to introspect and support only leaders who fought for their rights.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bengaluru stampede: No permission was given for the event at Chinnaswamy stadium, says Yathindra
Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Wednesday claimed that the function to felicitate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team players at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was organised without permission. Responding to BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra's allegation that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar were responsible for the stampede, the Congress MLC argued that there was no reason for the Chief Minister to be held responsible. 'Had he given permission for the programme at the cricket stadium? No permission was given for the programme. They had organised it without permission, and the police were unable to make 'bundobust' (security arrangements),' he pointed out. He said the stampede, which claimed eleven lives, was 'unfortunate' and the Chief Minister had taken action against the officials who were found prima facie responsible. A judicial inquiry into the stampede is also under way and action will be taken against whoever is found guilty, he said. 'Let the probe be completed. Even before the inquiry, how can anyone be held guilty?' he asked. Mr. Yathindra also sought to know what action had been taken in the BJP-ruled States, where stampedes had taken place. In Karnataka, the Congress government ordered a judicial probe and took action against the officials, who were found to be prima facie at fault. Seeking to know the action taken in either BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, where a stampede had taken place during the recent Kumbh Mela, or Andhra Pradesh, ruled by the BJP's ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP), where a stampede had occurred at Tirupathi, he accused the BJP of 'hypocrisy'. No threat to CM's position Mr. Yathindra also sought to make it clear that there was no threat to Mr Siddaramaiah's position as the Chief Minister. He said the Opposition was making allegations regarding the same for the sake of politics. On Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar visiting Delhi recently, Mr. Yathindra said the main discussion with the Congress leadership pertained to the caste census. As the implementation of the caste survey was promised in the Congress party's election manifesto, the deadlock over the issue had to be resolved, he said while adding that a discussion on the stampede had been held along with it. He clarified that no deadline had been set for Mr. Siddaramaiah's position as Chief Minister. To a question of whether Mr. Siddaramaiah will remain at the helm for the full five-year term, Mr. Yathindra replied in the affirmative.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Yathindra asks people to protect environment by reducing plastic use
Mysuru: Protecting the environment is the foremost responsibility of every citizen, said MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Thursday. Speaking during a sapling planting event organised by Bodhi Vriksha Society for Development and Odanadi Seva Organisation at Varuna Lake on T Narasipur Road to mark World Environment Day, Yathindra emphasised the importance of rejecting plastic and adopting cloth bags as a step towards sustainable living. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Environmental pollution can be significantly reduced by promoting recycling and minimising plastic usage. Everyone must actively participate in conserving nature," he stated. Highlighting the role of trees in combating climate change, Yathindra stressed that increasing green cover will help reduce temperatures and improve air quality. "Planting more trees not only enhances environmental beauty but also ensures cleaner air for future generations," he said. He also urged citizens to make eco-friendly choices in their daily lives. "Reuse household water wherever possible and opt for organic and chemical-free products. Such habits are beneficial for both our health and the planet," he advised. Yathindra expressed concern about the environmental degradation occurring in the name of development. "We are witnessing the destruction of trees. Instead, let us celebrate personal milestones by planting trees. Gifting saplings during events and celebrations can be a powerful way to promote sustainability. Preserving the environment is a collective duty. If we care for nature, it will care for us in return," he said.
