A.H. Vishwanath, MLC, said here on Thursday that the inclusion of caste during the nation-wide census to be conducted in due course was a welcome move and would not only be credible but also different from the caste survey of the State.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Vishwanath said all political parties have welcomed the decision of the Union government, and the Centre’s enumeration will be more reliable, he added.
“There is a difference between the census conducted by the State and the one carried out by the Centre. Senior officials oversee the conduct of the State census, and it is not an exercise carried out by gram panchayat officials,” Mr. Vishwanath said.
He said, in comparison, the State survey was not scientific, and it was kept pending for 10 years. There were no social scientists or economic experts involved, and only a few retired officials were appointed to conduct the State survey, which, Mr. Vishwanath said, lacked credibility.
The MLC also lashed out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for addressing senior IAS and IPS officers in the singular and said it smacked of disrespect and arrogance. He has been isolated in his party, and this is leading to erosion of his respect, remarked Mr. Vishwanath.
He also took exception to pro-Pakistan slogans, which are sometimes aired by a few individuals, and decried them. There should be a law to dub such elements as traitors. They must be punished, he added.
The MLC said all political parties should strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a time when there were ominous signs of war between India and Pakistan.
Published - May 01, 2025 07:37 pm IST
