Not against caste census, but it should be conducted scientifically, says DCM Shivakumar

DK Shivakumar clarified that he had never expressed opposition to the caste census but was only demanding a scientific and systematic approach for the census.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday clarified that he had never expressed opposition to the caste census but was only demanding a scientific and systematic approach for the census.

DK Shivakumar (PTI)

Speaking to reporters outside Suvarna Soudha, he said, "Several legislators have complained that the caste census wasn't done scientifically. There have been complaints that door-to-door survey wasn't done during the caste census. It is only appropriate that all communities get a true representation of their population in the census so that they get proportional benefits."

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"We are only asking if the survey has been done in a scientific manner. I believe in social and economic surveys and I stand by the Congress party's philosophy of social justice for all communities. I am also a backward class leader but as the President of the Party it is my duty to look at all communities with the same lens," he said, responding to a reporter who raised the point of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge stating in Rajya Sabha that BJP and D K Shivakumar were opposed to the caste census.

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Asked if the comments of the former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy that an influential Congress minister along with 50-60 MLAs would join BJP post general elections were pointing to him, Shivakumar said, “I am born Congressman. I am not crazy to go to another party. I have my own ideals and I have great belief in the Gandhi family and Congress party. Kumaraswamy is floating around rumours but I am not worried about it.”