Survey is aimed at measuring social, educational and economic status of all communities, says Minister

The survey taken up by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission is aimed at measuring social, educational and economic status of all communities. It will help the State government frame better policies for social welfare that will lead to all-round development of the State. No one should object to it, Minister Santosh Lad said in Dharwad on Sunday.

“Such a scientific survey has never been conducted anywhere else in the country. It is true that there are poor people in every caste. Therefore, this is a social and economic survey where caste is only one of the parameters. The remaining parameters are related to social and economic aspects,” he said.

“What is wrong if the government asks for information about bank accounts? Doesn’t the Central government also collect such information? This will help assess the real economic condition. Those who wish to give details can do so, those who don’t, can ignore it. What inconvenience does this cause? Didn’t the BJP leaders claim that they will bring back black money from Swiss banks? How much money have they actually brought back? BJP leaders who raise objections to this survey should feel ashamed,” he said.

He denied allegations by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi that the Congress is using the survey to divide society. “It is the BJP that is dividing society and not the Congress. Who is actually dividing society? Who gave 10% reservation to the economically weaker sections? Shouldn’t Mr. Joshi himself answer this? It is the BJP that is dividing communities. They are the ones deceiving Hindus. They make poor Hindu children stand on the streets while sending their own children abroad. They incite Hindu-Muslim clashes. What benefit have Hindus really got from them? Let there be a debate on this,” he said.

“One must ask the question as to whether Mr. Joshi has lost his senses,” he said.

“About 25 lakh Hindus have left India and gone abroad in the last few years. Why did they leave the country? Under their so-called Ghar Wapsi campaign, how many Hindus have they actually brought back? Has even one Hindu returned from abroad?” he asked.