R Ashoka file photo
Credit: DH Photo
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Monday called Chief Minister Siddaramaiah the “ambassador of religious conversions,” accusing him of promoting unconstitutional caste divisions, displaying open favoritism towards one community and overseeing a failing governance model.
He was referring to the CM’s recent statement that those who converted to Christianity should identify themselves as Christians in the upcoming caste survey and not by the Hindu caste they belonged to earlier.
The chief minister had also asked as to why would anyone convert “if there was equality in Hinduism”.
Ashoka told reporters here that Siddaramaiah was actively encouraging religious conversions through the caste survey, which he claimed had introduced caste names and classifications that were not even part of the Constitution.
According to him, the entire exercise was nothing but a veiled attempt to divide society and specifically target Hindus.
The BJP leader insisted that such a survey had no legal standing and would eventually be struck down.
Ashoka stressed that any action related to reservation policies or caste categorization must strictly adhere to the Constitution and existing court orders.
The BJP leader accused Siddaramaiah of consistently favoring Muslims in governance, while taking Hindu votes for granted.
He said that the Congress often sought Hindu support during elections, but later turned against the community by highlighting ‘flaws in Hindu traditions and practices,’ while choosing to remain silent on issues in other religions.
Ashoka took strong objection to the decision to invite writer Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Dasara.
He claimed that this move undermined Hindu cultural traditions and called for the enactment of a new law to preserve the festival’s religious identity and to ensure that all Hindu festivals were celebrated in accordance with Hindu customs.
Dasara is not just a state event, but a symbolic continuation of the heritage of Mysore kings, and should be respected as such, Ashoka said.
He mocked the government’s much-hyped announcement of a Rs 5,000 crore development package for Bengaluru, pointing out that despite the allocation, the city’s roads were in terrible condition.
Ashoka highlighted a series of price hikes that had taken place under the Congress’ watch.
The LoP pointed out that the cost of 20 litres of pure drinking water had doubled from Rs 5 to Rs 10, and the prices of fuel and milk had gone up as well.
He criticized the introduction of a new garbage disposal fee and sarcastically remarked, “At this rate, the government might soon start charging for air”.