Karnataka BJP Leader R Ashoka slams Congress’ caste survey, calls it ‘Anti-Hindu’

Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka has strongly criticized the Congress government’s ongoing caste survey, calling it an attempt to divide Hindu society and an “anti-people” exercise.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Ashoka alleged that the survey was being conducted under the influence of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. He claimed that caste names such as Kuruba, Brahmin, Vishwakarma, and others were being prefixed with “Christian” to please the Congress leadership. “Even if a hundred Siddaramaiahs come, they cannot tarnish Hinduism,” Ashoka said, targeting the Chief Minister.

The BJP leader insisted that preventing conversions was the government’s responsibility, but accused CM Siddaramaiah of “sponsoring work” that undermined Hinduism. He also warned ministers within the Congress who oppose the survey to resign if they disagree, rather than simply issue statements.

Ashoka further argued that only central government-led census and caste census exercises are legitimate, while state-level surveys can be rejected by future governments. Calling the current survey “an insult to the Constitution,” he accused Congress of previously misusing funds worth ₹150 crore during a similar exercise and said crores more were now being wasted.

He also attacked the state government over law-and-order and cultural issues, claiming Karnataka had been turned into a “laboratory” to experiment with diminishing Hindu traditions. Referring to incidents during Dasara and Ganesh processions, he alleged that the Congress government was deliberately sidelining Hindu practices.

On Bengaluru’s civic issues, Ashoka highlighted the city’s poor roads and claimed that despite Deputy CM D K Shivakumar allocating ₹25 crore, delays in tendering would ensure potholes persist. He estimated that there are nearly 5 lakh potholes across the city, adding that newly laid asphalt often wears off within an hour.