BJP and RSS have no faith in social justice, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Though the Centre had announced a caste census along with the general population census, Mr. Siddaramaiah was unhappy that the BJP-led government had not come out with a time-frame for the exercise. He wants the caste census to be accompanied by a comprehensive socio-economic and educational survey.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the BJP and RSS do not have faith or commitment to social justice.

Speaking to reporters at Tubinakere helipad in Srirangapatna taluk near Mysuru on May 2, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the RSS, during its 100-year history, had always opposed social justice. “From the time of Miller Commission initiated by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the RSS has consistently opposed social justice,” he said.

The RSS, founded in 1925, will be completing 100 years, but the organisation has never accepted reservations, he said.

Claiming that the BJP government had announced a caste census due the consistent pressure from Congress leaders, Mr. Siddaramaiah said Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was strongly insisting on such a caste survey for the last two years while All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

Though the Centre had announced a caste census along with the general population census, Mr. Siddaramaiah was unhappy that the BJP-led government had not come out with a time-frame for the exercise. He wants the caste census to be accompanied by a comprehensive socio-economic and educational survey.

The Chief Minister argued for removal of the ceiling of 50% on reservation. With such a ceiling, Mr. Siddaramaiah said reservation cannot be provided to the deserving sections in proportion to their population.

To build an equal society, there is a need to empower everybody socially, economically and educationally, he said.