Mysuru: MP Yaduveer Wadiyar on Sunday raised concerns about the feasibility and timing of the Karnataka caste census, calling it “humanly impossible” to complete the process scientifically within 10 days. He urged the state govt to drop this census as the Union govt has announced a caste census during the upcoming national census.Speaking to reporters, Yaduveer pointed out that the census would coincide with the Dasara vacation period, a time when many families go on holiday. “The state govt is aware of the holiday period but has still scheduled the survey during this time. Why was the caste census planned during Dasara holidays?” he asked.The MP also criticised the lack of proper training for the enumerators. “Previously, two important reports — those by Kantharaju and K Jayaprakash Hegde — were rejected under pressure from Congress’ central leadership,” he said, alluding to previous issues with caste-related surveys.Yaduveer alleged that the caste census was being used to cover up the failures of the state govt, especially the decrease in capex (capital expenditure), which he claimed had dropped to zero. He also referred to the stampede in Bengaluru, alleging that the caste survey was hurriedly introduced to divert public attention away from such failures.He further questioned the legality of including castes within the Christian religion. “The state govt is attempting to create new, unauthorised castes to weaken the Hindu community,” he said. “This decision is part of a larger conspiracy to convert Hindus,” Yaduveer alleged, calling on people to identify as “Hindu” in the census’ religious column.“As a responsible opposition, the BJP would continue to oppose the govt’s unscientific caste census,” he said.
