Decision on implementation of caste census to be taken after cabinet meeting: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

CM Siddaramaiah was at the Ginigera Air Strip Koppal, where he spoke to the media, responding to MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy's statement about the implementation of the caste census report in policymaking.

Siddaramaiah also said that he will hold a discussion with the Minister of Backward Classes next week.

The caste census report in Congress rules Karnataka was submitted to the government in February of this year. The Chairman of the Commission for Backward Classes, Jayaprakash Hegde submitted the report. The demand for the nationwide caste census has been a major Congress agenda with other INDIA bloc parties also raising their voices.

Earlier In June, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi had launched a scathing attack on Congress amid there fervour demand for a nationwide caste census. Trivedi had criticised the Karnataka government for not releasing the data of the caste census.

"In Karnataka, they have already done the caste survey but still, they are not disclosing the data. Karnataka Dy CM has threatened that if you disclose the data, then what will be the consequences," Trivedi said.

The Congress' demands for conducting a nationwide caste census have not toned down. On Wednesday Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the caste system has been in our basic structure for centuries and we cannot escape this, hence, Congress is demanding the conduct of a caste-based census

He further questioned whether demanding a caste census is casteism.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "Is bringing social empowerment a casteism? Is safeguarding the Constitution a casteism? Is demanding a caste census a casteism? Caste system has been in our basic structure for the centuries. We cannot escape this. Congress party is saying that conduct a caste census. The second thing that we are saying is to implement the provisions mentioned in the Constitution."

Several opposition parties in India, including Congress, RJD, NCP-SCP, etc. have a longstanding demand for the conduct of a caste-based census in India, that revolves around the need for accurate data on the population of different caste groups. (ANI)