Yathindra, MLC, said here on Saturday that attempts are being made to mislead the public about the ongoing social and education survey being conducted by the state government.
He condemned such attempts and called for dispelling misconceptions about exercise through awareness and education.
Addressing a seminar on the survey, Mr. Yathindra said that people should realize that the exercise will determine the social, educational and economic status of the communities, provide relevant data and come in handy in implementing social measures.
The survey is essential for the socio-economic and political empowerment of communities that have historically remained backward due to caste discrimination, Mr. Yathindra said.
Caste is a reality in this country and although one can escape religion through conversion, there was no escape from the stigma attached to caste, the MLC added.
Describing caste as the biggest scourge of Indian society, Mr Yathindra said efforts should be made to fight such a pernicious system. Since caste is rooted in religion, efforts should also be made to initiate religious reforms, he added, saying that people from the lower social hierarchy have been deprived of education, power and wealth since historical times.
“Though Buddha, Basavanna, Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar tried to fight caste, they were not fully successful. Dalits and backward classes, regardless of their level of achievement, tend to be socially scorned on the basis of their caste. It is only through the Constitution that some progress has been made,” Mr Yathindra said.
“Opponents of the survey spread rumors that the society was divided on caste and religion lines. Union Minister V. Somanna said it was a conspiracy to suppress or suffocate the upper class. His statement sheds light on his mindset which discriminates against people as upper and lower castes,” the MLC said. Society has been divided on the basis of caste and its grip can be weakened only by empowering people through education, Mr. Yathindra added.
Mr. Yathindra claimed that the Centre’s census will include caste, but will only give numbers and not the extent of social backwardness.
Published – 25 Oct 2025 20:24 IST
