Caste census is for social justice, not for politics: DCM

Ahmedabad Air crash is devastating

Bengaluru Express
Bengaluru, June 13: Hitting out at the opposition parties on their contrasting and vacillating stand over caste census, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Thursday that social justice was the reason for redoing the caste census and not politics.

“The reason why we are redoing the caste census is social justice, not politics. The opposition parties, who criticised the previous caste census, are opposing the new caste census. Let them take a stand to support the original caste census if they have an issue with the new one,” the DCM said while speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

Asked about Opposition parties criticising state government’s decision to redo the caste census, he said, “Let Kumaraswamy, Vijayendra and R Ashok call for a press conference and announce that they are in favour of the earlier caste census. They are making a lot of comments, we will respond to them in the Assembly session. The media must highlight the contradictions in the stand of Opposition over caste census. They are trying to politicise it.”

“People are entitled to their views. We have given our nod for redoing the caste census after taking into considerations the opinions of the people and our MLAs. One can move court and bring a stay under Section 11 stating that the caste census is already 10 years old. The report was submitted on February 29. The Cabinet discussed it 5-6 times. The Opposition parties were also demanding a re-survey,” he said.

Asked about opposition to the earlier caste census by Lingayats and Vokkaligas, he said, “I don’t want to comment on that. This survey will include all communities. Kannadigas living outside the state will be allowed provide their details online.”
Asked if the census is being redone following High command’s decision, he said, “High command has only given us guidelines. It is important to include all sections of the society as the earlier survey is already 10 years old.”

Air crash is devastating
Replying to a question on the Ahmedabad air crash, he said, “It is devastating. My condolences to the families of the victims. It is a shocking news for the country and the world. My and my party’s prayers are with the passengers and their families. The country was making big strides in aviation, this tragedy should not have happened.”
Asked if any Kannadigas were on the plane that crashed, he said, “Let’s not look at it from the lens of Kannadiga, Gujarati, Tamilian, etc. They are all Indians, let’s pray for them.”