Siddaramaiah defends Rahul, asks BJP to conduct nation-wide caste census

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday threw a challenge at the BJP asking the party to conduct a nationwide caste census to determine if reservation has truly reached the most marginalised sections of society.

“The Supreme Court recommended a caste-based socio-economic survey precisely to determine whether equal opportunities have been achieved. Our government in Karnataka has already undertaken this. If BJP leaders and their Union Government are truly committed to social justice, they should immediately conduct a nationwide caste Census,” he said, while attacking the BJP for being critical of AICC leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks.

Siddaramaiah, defending Gandhi’s stand on the quotas, challenged the BJP leaders to get the NDA regime to increase the quota cap from 50% to 75%. The CM jumped into the defense of the AICC leader after his remarks on the subject in the US sparked attacks from the BJP.


“The BJP leaders’ protest against Rahul Gandhi, falsely accusing him of making anti-reservation statements, is like ‘butchers protesting against animal cruelty’. What moral authority do those who have historically opposed reservations and sought to change the Constitution must stage such protests?” the CM said in a statement.

“Our leader Rahul Gandhi has publicly, and in the Lok Sabha, declared that the Congress party is committed to increasing the reservation quota from the current 50% to 75%. If BJP leaders are truly as committed to reservation as they claim, they should pressure the Union Government to increase the reservation quota from 50% to 75%,” he added.

It’s no surprise that BJP leaders, who have always held anti-reservation sentiments, lack the understanding or wisdom to interpret Rahul Gandhi's statement, Siddaramaiah said. “The primary objective of reservation is to ensure equal opportunities for all in education, employment, and access to resources. This isn’t just something Rahul Gandhi is saying - I stand by it too. How can this be construed as an anti-reservation statement?”

Today, BJP leaders lack the courage to openly oppose reservations due to the growing awareness among beneficiaries, the CM said. “Instead, they attempt to amend the Constitution on one hand, and on the other, create divisions among those benefiting from reservations, thereby weakening the tool of social justice.”