Bengaluru: The Congress government in Karnataka is facing mounting criticism over allegations of intimidation and coercion in connection with the ongoing caste census. Opposition leader R Ashok has accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar of “behaving like rowdies” by threatening prominent individuals and ordinary citizens who have refused to share personal information for the survey.
Addressing a press conference in Hassan, Ashok alleged that the government has crossed all limits of decency by attempting to coerce even respected personalities like Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy into revealing private details. “This is a government that engages in rowdyism. The High Court has clearly stated that participation in the caste census is voluntary. Yet, Siddaramaiah and Minister Shivraj are openly intimidating people who have chosen not to disclose their caste details. This is an open violation of the law,” he said.
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Ashok further criticized the Congress administration for breaching privacy norms and violating the High Court’s directives. “It is absolutely wrong to reveal what Sudha Murthy had written in response to the survey. The court had ordered that personal details must remain confidential. But this government, in its desperation to politicize caste, has gone to the extent of disclosing individuals’ responses and threatening teachers and officials who hesitate to cooperate,” he charged.
Turning his attack towards DCM DK Shivakumar, Ashok said the Congress government has been insulting industrialists and taxpayers who raise legitimate concerns. “Business leaders like Mohan Das Pai and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw are being targeted simply for speaking up about civic failures in Bengaluru. The DCM says if the road is bad, the ‘path is not right.’ But taxpayers have every right to question where their money goes. Even when the BJP was in power, these same businessmen had raised issues — and we acted swiftly to fix them. Today, despite claims of spending Rs 2,000 crore to repair potholes, not a single visible improvement can be seen. Where has this money gone?” he asked.
Ashok accused the government of driving investors away. “Even Google, one of the largest global companies, has moved its project to Andhra Pradesh because of the Congress government’s anti-industry attitude. What kind of development can they claim when businesses are fleeing the state? The rains have stopped, yet CM Siddaramaiah blames the weather for potholes. The roads should have been asphalted well before the monsoon. When businessmen offered to repair them at their own cost, the government mocked them instead of accepting help,” he said.
Criticizing the state’s poor disaster management, Ashok said the Congress government failed to hold an all-party meeting during the recent floods. “Instead of coordinating relief efforts, they kept complaining about the central government. The Center has already released relief funds as per the rules. The Congress is only trying to shift blame to hide its inefficiency,” he added.
Ashok also rubbished the Congress claim that the previous BJP government had issued an order restricting events by organizations like the RSS in school premises. “There is no record or evidence that then CM Jagadish Shettar ever approved such an order. It was limited to a single school in Chamarajpet, not a blanket ban. The Congress government is misleading the public by extending it statewide. If they have an order signed by Jagadish Shettar or any minister, let them make it public,” he challenged.
The BJP leader accused the Congress of displaying “selective secularism” by targeting RSS processions while turning a blind eye to other religious gatherings. “For 100 years, RSS has conducted peaceful processions without any violence. But now, the Congress is manufacturing controversy. Every Friday, people offer prayers on public roads in Chamarajpet, blocking traffic. During Ramzan and Eid Milad, swords are carried in processions, yet no permission is sought or action taken. Why this double standard?” he asked.
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