Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashok, has strongly condemned the upcoming socio-educational survey, scheduled to commence this Monday, as a deliberate attempt to fragment Hinduism. He called upon Ministers who publicly oppose the survey to immediately resign from their posts.
Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Mr. Ashok asserted that the survey’s primary objective is to sow discord within the Hindu community by focusing on caste divisions. He questioned the necessity of including caste details in a socio-educational survey, directly accusing the Congress government in Karnataka, allegedly under the direction of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, of actively seeking to divide Hindus.
He delivered a stern warning to dissenting Ministers, stating, “Ministers who are against this initiative must resign. If they merely issue statements and remain passive, their communities will not forgive their inaction.”
Furthermore, Mr. Ashok accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of implicitly endorsing religious conversions. He remarked, “While it is the government’s duty to prevent conversions, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appears to be facilitating these activities.”
He emphasized that the Union government has already initiated preparations for a formal Census and caste census, deeming those official. In contrast, he labeled the State government’s surveys as unofficial and liable to be rejected by future administrations. Ashok criticized the process, arguing, “If individuals are allowed to record whatever they wish, what purpose does a government serve? This approach undermines the Constitution. This survey offers no genuine justice to any caste. Those who previously sought to divide the Lingayat community are now attempting to divide Hinduism as a whole.”
Concluding his remarks, he alleged that under Mr. Siddaramaiah’s leadership, Karnataka has become an experimental ground where concerted efforts are being made to weaken Hinduism.