Fresh caste census to take all sections into confidence, says Yathindra

Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the State government had decided to conduct a fresh caste census in the State to take all sections into confidence.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday, Mr. Yathindra rejected the BJP’s reported charge that the State government was indulging in wasteful expenditure by conducting the caste census afresh. “It is necessary for the State and the society,” he said.

Alleging that the Opposition leaders themselves had objected to the implementation of the caste census report as it was ten years old, Mr. Yathindra said the earlier report would have been implemented had the Opposition not raised objections.

Accusing the Opposition leaders of misleading some communities, Mr. Yathindra said a fresh survey was necessary to win the confidence of the communities. “It is important for us to implement the caste census report after taking people into confidence,” he said.

He rejected the Opposition’s argument that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was conducting a fresh survey to remain firm in the saddle.

“He will remain firm in the seat even without the caste census. The Congress party had promised in its election manifesto that it would work towards strengthening the backward classes socially, educationally and economically. The BJP is only making politically motivated allegations,” he said.

The High Command has also taken the implementation of the caste census report seriously by taking all the communities together.

When asked about the scepticism over the government’s abilities to complete the survey within 90 days, Mr. Yathindra said the exercises to conduct caste surveys had been completed in a short period of time in Telangana and Bihar. “Nowadays, conducting the surveys is not difficult as there are mobile applications and dedicated companies for the purpose.”

He said the government will consider companies that will carry out the exercise in a fair, transparent and just manner.

Published - June 17, 2025 09:23 pm IST