Bengaluru; Karnataka finds itself in the throes of political unrest as opposition leader R Ashok vocally condemns Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s government’s caste census report, alleging that the initiative is designed solely to craft a vote bank for the Muslim community. The move has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with calls for the immediate withdrawal of the report and a demand for a scientifically conducted house-to-house survey.
In a press briefing, Ashok accused Siddaramaiah’s government of fostering division among castes and religions. “The Chief Minister is systematically working to divide communities, undermining the delicate social fabric of our state,” he stated. Traditionally, it has been acknowledged that Lingayats are the largest caste, followed by Vokkaligas and Dalits. However, the recent census claims that Muslims now constitute the largest caste group in Karnataka, a contentious assertion that Ashok contends fails to recognize the diverse sub-castes within the Muslim community itself, resulting in an inaccurate representation.
“The government selectively categorized castes, emphasizing Muslim groups while misrepresenting the voting demographics of Vokkaligas, Lingayats, and Dalits,” he charged. “This report is a blatant attempt to manipulate the electoral landscape in favor of Congress, specifically by inflating Muslim vote counts.”
Ashok emphatically labeled Siddaramaiah as the “No. 1 divider,” accusing him of using state resources to propagate unverified and unscientific reports without consulting or surveying the vast number of households affected. “Karnataka leads in technological advancement; they could have leveraged this to produce an accurate report. Instead, they chose to fabricate data that serves their political agenda,” he added.
Amid allegations of misuse of funds—reports suggest that approximately Rs 150 crore was allocated for this census—Ashok claimed that Siddaramaiah dictated the report to justice Kantaraju, who subsequently fled the scene without signing off on the document. “An investigation is imperative to ascertain who misappropriated taxpayer money in this dubious endeavor,” he insisted, highlighting a perceived lack of transparency and accountability within the Congress government.
The ramifications of this caste census extend beyond political maneuvering, with Ashok warning that community backlash is imminent. “The Reddy Lingayats and Hallikars have been fractured into sub-groups, and should this report be officially recognized by the cabinet, there will be widespread dissent among affected communities. It could very well lead to a revolt within Congress itself,” he declared, emphasising that community leaders, including Vokkaliga Swamijis, are poised to discuss collective responses to the report.
On a broader political spectrum, Ashok criticised the current Congress administration for straying from the principles championed by its predecessors, notably the old Congress that valiantly fought against British colonial rule. He lamented the current party’s inability to unify communities, suggesting that rather than bridging gaps, Congress is deepening divides among key voter blocs.
Turning to economic issues, Ashok denounced the Congress government’s actions regarding essential commodities, accusing it of levying taxes on milk, diesel, and electricity. “The people of Bengaluru are suffering under the weight of increased parking and waste disposal fees. This is not the change they were promised; this government is squeezing the lifeblood out of the citizens in the name of progress,” he asserted.
Ashok referenced the constitutional provisions initiated by Dr BR Ambedkar, which guarantee reservations for Dalits. He underscored that the state lacks the authority to offer reservations to Muslims, cautioning that any total reservations must not exceed the constitutional ceiling of 50 per cent. This, he argues, underscores the “dirty politics” being played by the current government.
State becoming another West Bengal: BJP MP Mohan
In a stark Bengaluru central MP and BJP leader PC Mohan has expressed grave concerns over the state government’s policies which he characterizes as “Muslim appeasement.” Drawing unsettling parallels to the recent surge of violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district—where Hindus have reportedly fled their homes—Mohan asserts that Karnataka could be on a similar path if current policies continue.
The Bengaluru Central MP has labeled the state government’s decision to provide a 4 percent reservation to Muslims in public works contracts as a blatant “appeasement tactic.” He has urged the Hindu community of Karnataka to recognize the potential implications of such policies and take action before it’s too late. “What is happening in Murshidabad is a direct result of the dangerous appeasement politics exercised by the West Bengal government. Hindus are fleeing from there, and if the Karnataka Congress continues down this path of favoritism toward one community, we too may see similar situations arise here. Wake up, Hindus!” Mohan vehemently stated in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
In support of his claims, Mohan shared alarming videos purportedly depicting families fleeing Murshidabad with their possessions amid ongoing violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The disturbances have reportedly led to the tragic loss of three lives, underscoring the severity of the unrest and the consequences of communal tensions stoked by government policies.
The contentious “Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” recently passed in the state assembly, includes provisions that ring alarm bells for many. The bill allocates 4 percent of contracts in civil works valued up to ₹2 crore and in goods and services contracts worth up to Rs 1 crore specifically for Muslims. While proponents argue that this initiative is aimed at ensuring equitable opportunities, opponents, including Mohan, contend that such measures serve only to sow discord and exacerbate communal divides.
This alarming turn of events raises crucial questions about the direction of social policy in Karnataka. With the bill currently pending the governor’s assent to become law, the implications of these reservations could have a significant impact on social cohesion within the state. Critics have pointed out that the exclusionary nature of the bill appears to prioritize one community over the others, leading to potential resentment among the broader populace.
Mohan’s cautions reflect a widespread sentiment among various factions of society who fear that appeasement tactics will transform the sociopolitical landscape into one of division rather than unity—echoing the situation in West Bengal. The ongoing unrest there, combined with the perceived preference shown toward Muslims in contract allocations within Karnataka, could be seen as a blueprint for conflict that many would prefer to avoid.
