A political firestorm has erupted in Karnataka over demands from Christian groups to be enumerated with caste identifiers like “Dalit Christian” and “Kuruba Christian” in the state’s upcoming socio-economic survey. The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and social commentators who accuse the community of hypocrisy, preaching equality while seeking to benefit from caste-based divisions for political appeasement.

The controversy stems from a press release issued by the “Karnataka Christians Social Educational Survey Awareness Forum,” which actively urged community members, especially “Dalit Christians and backward caste Christians,” to meticulously register their sub-castes in the survey forms. The forum justified the move by citing over “52 castes” within the community and quoted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s assurance that converts cannot be deprived of benefits.

Christian groups now demand caste tags like Dalit Christian & Kuruba Christian in the caste census to grab reservation benefits. Hypocrisy! Christianity preaches equality but seeks caste divisions for appeasement. #StopAppeasement pic.twitter.com/vqMbYLF7KD

— Mohan Gowda (@Mohan_HJS) September 20, 2025

However, this push has been met with fierce opposition. The BJP has labeled the inclusion of categories like “Lingayat Christian” and “Kuruba Christian” in the survey as “unacceptable” and a tool to further religious conversions. Party leaders argue that the very premise contradicts Christian doctrine.

Equality in Sermon, Caste in Census

Critics point to a fundamental contradiction: while Christian theology officially rejects caste, its political representatives in India are increasingly leveraging caste identity for gain. This strategy, opponents argue, is enabled by the Congress government’s survey, which they claim is designed to create new vote banks by fracturing society along finer lines.

“The Congress government is playing a dangerous game. They are manufacturing categories that nobody has heard of to create a narrative of oppression and entitlement,” senior journalist Mr. Ram Krishna Padya commented. “It’s a blatant appeasement policy that will lead to more social fragmentation and litigation.”

Political Chessboard

The ruling Congress has defended the survey as a neutral data-collection exercise for better policy formulation. Congress spokesperson Mr. Ramesh Babu stated, “This is about documentation to understand social realities. If people retain a social identity even after conversion, ignoring it would be unscientific.”

But political analysts suggest a deeper strategy. By officially recognizing sub-castes within Christianity, the government could potentially pave the way for extending reservation benefits to these groups, a long-standing demand that has so far been legally untenable. This, critics allege, is a thinly veiled attempt to consolidate a key voter base ahead of future elections.

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PMK President Dr Anbumani Ramadoss has called upon party cadre and the public to ensure that resolutions demanding a caste-based population census are passed during grama sabha meetings scheduled across Tamil Nadu on Independence Day.

In a statement, Dr Anbumani said the resolutions should clearly urge the state government to conduct a comprehensive caste census. He stressed that such an exercise is essential to ensure reservation benefits are distributed in proportion to the population and socio-economic backwardness of communities.

The move, he added, is also vital to protect social justice at a time when Tamil Nadu’s 69 per cent reservation policy is facing a legal challenge in the Supreme Court.

“Only a caste-based enumeration can provide accurate, updated data on the demographic and socio-economic conditions of various communities,” Dr Anbumani stated. “Without this, the distribution of reservation benefits will be based on outdated assumptions, which are neither fair nor sustainable,” he said.

The PMK leader said the grama sabha forums, which are constitutionally mandated to discuss local governance issues, also serve as platforms for articulating the demands of the people on broader social policies. He urged the party’s district and panchayat-level functionaries to coordinate efforts so that the caste census resolution is tabled and passed in as many villages as possible on Independence Day.

Dr Anbumani also challenged the ruling DMK to act on the resolutions if they are passed across the state. “If the DMK truly cares for democracy, it must respect the rights of grama sabhas and implement the decisions taken during these meetings,” he said, adding that ignoring such collective expressions of public opinion amounts to undermining democratic processes at the grassroots level.

The PMK, which has consistently campaigned for a caste-based census, views the exercise as a cornerstone for ensuring equitable reservation and policy formulation. The party argues that accurate caste data would enable targeted welfare schemes and help in addressing disparities more effectively.

With grama sabha meetings set to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations, the PMK’s push is expected to intensify the debate over the need for a caste census in Tamil Nadu — an issue that has been politically sensitive and socially significant for decades.

-IANS

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As the Modi government on Wednesday announced its decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national Census, an old letter from 2010 has resurfaced, showing that the BJP had already backed the idea of a caste census over a decade ago, when it was in opposition.

The letter, dated August 6, 2010, was written by the then Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, to the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. In it, Swaraj clearly conveyed the BJP’s support for canvassing caste during the Census or National Population Register (NPR) exercise, as long as it did not affect the integrity of the headcount.

“The BJP had already clarified its stand in Lok Sabha,” Swaraj wrote. “The party reiterates that ‘caste’ can be canvassed in the ongoing Census/NPR exercise. We agree that the caste should be canvassed in such manner and at such stage so that it does not affect the integrity of the headcount.”

A letter from August 2010 shows that the BJP, while in opposition, had agreed to caste enumeration. However, the Congress failed to deliver. The Gandhis are inherently opposed to those from marginalised communities. Rajiv Gandhi’s longest speech in Parliament was against… pic.twitter.com/O39tNl5E1H

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 30, 2025

The letter undercuts repeated claims by the Congress party that it is the sole advocate of caste enumeration and puts the spotlight on the Congress-led UPA government’s failure to deliver results from its own Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) conducted in 2011. While the data was collected during UPA-2’s tenure, it was never officially released in full, prompting criticism from across the political spectrum.

The fresh announcement by the Modi government removes a major talking point from the Congress, particularly from Rahul Gandhi, who had repeatedly accused the BJP of being afraid to reveal the true social composition of the country. Gandhi had often cited the SECC to press for a caste census, claiming that it was the key to ensuring “social justice” in governance.

Historically, India has only officially published caste data for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes since the first post-Independence census in 1951. Other caste data, particularly for OBCs and EBCs, has remained either unpublished or politically contentious.

The debate intensified after the Bihar government released the findings of its own caste survey in October 2023. The data revealed that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) make up over 63% of the state’s population, with EBCs being the largest group at 36%.

The BJP’s longstanding but often overlooked support for caste enumeration now places it in a stronger position to claim continuity and legitimacy on this front, as it prepares to implement a nationwide caste census—a demand that has grown steadily louder from both regional and national parties.

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The post Caste Census No U-Turn: BJP’s 2010 Letter Shows It Always Backed The Move appeared first on The Commune.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hailed the Centre’s decision to conduct a caste census alongside the regular census as a significant victory for the DMK and the INDIA bloc in their ongoing struggle for social justice. He framed the announcement as a direct outcome of their persistent efforts. However, this claim appears to be contradicted by an official response in the Rajya Sabha, where the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment stated that the Tamil Nadu government had not made any formal request or representation to the Centre regarding the conduct of a caste survey.

On 30 April 2025, CM Stalin, through his official account on X, expressed skepticism about the Union Government’s timing, suggesting it was politically motivated. “After the failure of all its attempts to deny and delay the much-needed caste enumeration, the Union BJP Government has finally announced that it will be conducted along with the forthcoming Census. But key questions remain unanswered —when will the Census begin? When will it conclude? The timing is no coincidence. With #SocialJustice dominating the #BiharElections narrative, this sudden move reeks of political expediency.” he posted.

Stalin criticized the Prime Minister’s previous stance, recalling how he had once condemned opposition parties for “dividing people on caste” but had now conceded to the very demand he had opposed. “The same Prime Minister who once accused opposition parties of dividing people on caste has now yielded to the very demand, he maligned repeatedly. Caste Census is essential—not optional—for objective policymaking, targeted welfare, and the pursuit of real social justice. You cannot remedy injustice without first recognising its scale. For the Tamil Nadu Government and DMK, this is a hard-earned victory. We were the first to adopt a resolution in the Legislative Assembly demanding #CasteCensus. We championed this cause in every forum. We reiterated this demand in every meeting with the Prime Minister and through multiple letters, consistently urging the Union Government to take responsibility. While others called for state-level caste surveys, we stood firm: Census is a Union subject. Only the Union Government can and should deliver a legally binding caste enumeration under the Census Act. Our stand is now vindicated. Another triumph for DMK and #INDIA Bloc in our arduous social justice journey, driven by the ideals of the #DravidianModel,” he wrote.

After the failure of all its attempts to deny and delay the much-needed caste enumeration, the Union BJP Government has finally announced that it will be conducted along with the forthcoming Census. But key questions remain unanswered —when will the Census begin? When will it…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) April 30, 2025

However, this narrative is challenged by an official reply in Parliament. On 19 March 2025, in response to an unstarred question (No. 2200) raised by PMK leader Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment clarified that it had not received any communication from the Tamil Nadu government regarding the conduct of a caste survey under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma, responded:
(a) & (b) The Department has not received any information from the Tamil Nadu government about plans to conduct a caste survey.
(c) & (d) Therefore, the question of representations does not arise.

Earlier, on 26 June 2024, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution urging the Central Government to conduct a caste census alongside the general census. Although Tamil Nadu had the legal authority to carry out a caste survey independently—just as states like Karnataka and Bihar have done—the DMK-led government argued that census activities fall under the Union List, and therefore only the Centre should conduct such an enumeration. Despite having the means, the state chose not to proceed on its own and instead limited its action to passing a resolution.

Now, with the Centre announcing its intention to conduct a caste census, the DMK is portraying the move as a victory, despite having taken no substantial steps beyond symbolic resolutions. This contrast—between public declarations and actual engagement—has reignited debate over Tamil Nadu’s genuine efforts and commitment to pushing for a caste census at the national level.

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The post Centre Announces Caste Census, DMK Labels It Its Victory; But Records Show No Formal Request To Centre appeared first on The Commune.

The Hindu article on the initiative of the central government’s NAMASTE programme wrote about how the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has profiled around 38,000 sanitation workers across 3,326 urban local bodies (ULBs) from 29 States and Union Territories. The article states that data shows 91.9% of these workers come from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Other Backward Class (OBC) communities. 377 deaths have been recorded between 2019 and 2023 due to manual scavenging work.

The total number of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) profiled was 38,000 workers. Of these 68.9% were said to be from Scheduled Castes (SC), 14.7% from Other Backward Classes (OBC), 8.3% from Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 8% from the General category.

As of 2021, there are 1 lakh sewer and septic tank workers in India.

• States that completed profiling: 12 States/UTs (including Kerala, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir)
• States where profiling is still underway: 17 States (including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh)
• States that haven’t begun profiling: Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, West Bengal

Additionally, a total of 58,098 manual scavengers have been identified (pre-2018) and the article states that 97.2% of them are from the SC communities.

Failed Social Justice Models

While the government’s programme aims to address hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning in India, the demographic data of those engaged in this dangerous work reveals a disturbing social reality. Of the 38,000 workers profiled, 76% belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, which together make up only about 22-25% of India’s population. Meanwhile, just 14% are from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), despite this group constituting over 41% of the population (as per latest National Sample Survey). Additionally, 8% of the workers come from the General category, a group that makes up around 30% of the population.

Clever, clever way to put it. 76%;are from SC or ST groups who constitute 22% population.Just 14% are from OBC groups who constitute over 60% population. And you did not mention that 8% are from General category who constitute less than 10% population. So you can see clearly… https://t.co/u9HtKdexxN

— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) September 30, 2024

This disproportionate representation among sanitation workers highlights a clear and ongoing marginalization of SC and ST communities in some of the most dangerous and degrading forms of labour. The genius of the so-called Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu lies in convincing the truly oppressed that their oppressors are their allies. Despite their claims of being champions of the underprivileged, the Dravidian political apparatus seems to uphold a system where the most vulnerable groups continue to suffer in low-status, high-risk jobs.

Furthermore, the fact that 91.9% of hazardous sanitation workers belong to marginalized communities underscores the systemic inequality that persists, even under the guise of progressive policies. OBCs, despite their larger population share, appear to have largely escaped this kind of hazardous employment, while SCs and STs bear the brunt of it. This raises a crucial question: if the so-called protectors of the marginalized are truly on their side, why does this blatant disparity persist?

The Dravidianist argument that they stand for social justice seems hollow when examined through the lens of who continues to perform these hazardous jobs. The narrative of empowerment falls flat when the caste-based distribution of dangerous labour overwhelmingly affects those they claim to uplift. It’s time to question whether their rhetoric truly matches the reality for the oppressed. True social justice would mean elevating these communities out of these conditions, not perpetuating a system where they remain trapped.

The data itself reveals the contradiction: SCs and STs continue to disproportionately clean sewers and septic tanks, while OBCs and other dominant caste groups are primarily shielded from such work. Clearly, the Dravidian movement’s genius isn’t in alleviating oppression—it’s in obfuscating who the real oppressors are.

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The post Proportion Of SC & ST As Sanitation Workers Is Disproportionately More Compared To OBCs, 8% Of Those Who Clean Sewers Are From GC Reveals Survey appeared first on The Commune.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi could consider implementing a nationwide caste reservation system and empowering caste welfare associations to counter the recent electoral setbacks, drawing inspiration from Tamil Nadu’s model. These measures can balance the aspirations of various Hindu communities, defuse fears about the removal of reservations, and prevent future electoral surprises. As the BJP reflects on its unexpected losses, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, these strategies might offer a path to regain momentum and address caste-related challenges in Indian politics.

Election 2024 Results

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the shocker of his life when the BJP won only 240 seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. Even the most bearish analysts predicted 270 seats for the BJP in the LS polls, the outcome was worse than the worst-case scenario.

Uttar Pradesh shocked everyone by delivering 43 seats and a 44% vote share to the INDI alliance. The NDA managed to retain the 43.5% vote share from the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. However, last time, the state fetched NDA 71 seats, which fell to 36 seats now. Samajwadi Party, SP, polled 22.5% then and Cong 7.5% in 2014. A SP-Cong alliance has polled 44% now. Mayawati-led BSP polled 19.5% votes in 2014 and 9.3% votes in 2024.

What surprised psephologists was that a party of two social groups – Yadavs and Muslims, i.e., SP—managed to get a big chunk of votes from other castes across the spectrum in alliance with Congress and polling close to 44%. This ability to woo non-Yadav and non-Muslim votes by the Akhilesh-led SP gave Sri Narendra Modi the biggest shock of his life. The aura of invincibility around Modi diminished so much that he managed to win Varanasi by just 1.52 lakh votes against the 4.79 lakh votes margin in 2019.

What Went Wrong In UP?

Feedback sought by the piece’s writers from the ground in UP reveals that a section of OBCs and SCs voted for the INDI alliance because they feared the Modi Government would abolish reservations through constitutional amendment if the NDA were to win 400 seats. As Modi and NDA leaders sought 400 seats, they did not clearly state, “Why should the electorate give them 400 seats?”

INDI alliance cleverly used these lacunae and did extensive ground campaigns highlighting the risks to the reservation system if Modi gets 400 seats. This smartly done campaign fetched them great electoral benefits. Though BJP managed to retain 43.5% thanks to Modi’s hard work and charisma, the SP alliance managed to do the unthinkable by consolidating a section of hitherto rival groups, i.e. Non-Yadav OBCs and SCs, in its favour and getting 44% votes and 43 seats. Modi was outsmarted in his own game of social reengineering for the first time.

Modi and the team have much to introspect in the short and the long run and make course corrections.

Elections 2024 have exposed the limitations of the primary strategy of consolidating Hindu votes.

Caste is a faultline the opposition has exploited quite well and will continue to exploit.

Here’s how Modi-Shah can counter this faultline:

1. Implementing Tamil Nadu Model Of Reservations

Tamil Nadu is one state where caste reservation is well above the 50% mark and is at 69%. 18% is reserved for SCs, 1% for STs, 30% for OBCs and 20% for MBCs. The backward class quota is divided into two- one for OBCs and the other for Most Backward Classes. Modi government can contemplate bringing a constitutional amendment taking the caste reservation nationwide to 80% from the current 59.50%. They could create a new category, Most Backward Classes, and set aside a specific quantum for them.

The government can conduct a caste census by updating data through the Aadhar Database. It will give them an accurate picture of who is where in terms of numbers and allow them to rework the pie.

The rumours about Modi removing reservations will die, and the INDI alliance’s gains will vanish.

One should also note that the communities demanding reservations in various states today are largely the agrarian communities that enjoy the benefits of reservation in Tamil Nadu.

2. Empowering Caste Welfare Associations

Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have created caste welfare associations that get govt funding and take care of welfare activities of the respective castes, like offering coaching for competitive exams to creating hostel facilities to fund new ventures. The government can establish and empower such organisations nation wide. They can collect funds and set up schools and colleges exclusively to take care of their students. If reservation is increased to 80% from the current 59.5%, general category and students from communities that does not benefit from reservations will be affected.

To ensure such students are not left high and dry, such caste welfare organisations can be empowered legally and provided financial support in the initial years to set up institutions to exclusively take care of the needs of their students who are denied a college seat of their choice because of reservation systems. These organisations can be allowed to access CSR funding or can be set up as private bodies. Such institutions have to be given all necessary clearances to start these colleges and schools with no burden of reservations. These institutions can be made self-sustaining from day one leveraging caste as a social capital.

Caste Census

Through the above two innovative measures, Modi can balance the aspirations of the various Hindu castes and communities. Most importantly, these measures will destroy the I.N.D.I alliance’s fear-mongering schemes.

The first step to do this is implementing a caste census!

Once the reservation is increased in line with the caste census and the caste organisations are empowered, the country will not be held to ransom by protests by a select few calling for increased reservations. It is time to press the development accelerator and not let the country be held to ransom by protests and fear-mongering.

And maybe in the future, some of these community associations can even be empowered to have their own community banks—not a fresh idea, but one that is borrowed from the past—an idea that helps leverage social capital.

Caste is here to stay. No one can eradicate it. It is time to start leveraging caste as a positive social capital tool for empowerment and development.

Sab Caste Saath. Sab Caste Vikaas.

Subash is a finance professional and a portfolio manager based out of Chennai.

Vijayanand Venkataraman is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

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The post Sab Caste Saath, Sab Caste Vikaas: What Modi-Shah Can Do To Seal The Cracks In Their Armour appeared first on The Commune.

On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath firmly pounded the drum for unity among citizens, saying that this would ensure their well-being and empower the country.

CM Yogi Adityanath’s pointed message for unity comes against the backdrop of unrest in Bangladesh, which has been experiencing riots and widespread violence for months now.

Addressing an event in Agra, CM Yogi Adityanath said, “There is nothing bigger than the country. It overcomes everything. The nation can become powerful only when we stay united. Then only we can remain safe. Divisions will destroy us. See the example of Bangladesh. We can’t repeat that mistake here.”

“Batenge toh katenge, ek rahenge toh nek rahenge (If we get divided, we will be shredded. If we stay together, we will be safe),” CM Yogi Adityanath said at the public meeting.

“By staying together, we will reach new heights of success and prosperity. We have to attain new territories of growth. Together, we have to work towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat,” CM Yogi said.

The CM gave the speech after inaugurating the statue of Durgadas Rathore. CM Yogi Adityanath’s message of unity is set to spur many reactions from Opposition parties, as the latter are likely to dub it ‘communal and polarising’.

UP CM Questions Opposition Silence on Bangladesh Hindu Genocide

Notably, the CM, on previous occasions, also questioned the Congress-led INDIA bloc’s ‘silence’ on the persecution of Bangladeshi Hindus.

Speaking in Mathura a day ago, he criticized the Opposition parties for being outspoken on the Palestinian crisis but staying mum on the Hindu persecution in Bangladesh.

A couple of Congress leaders, including Salman Khurshid, created a flutter in political circles days ago when they claimed that Bangladesh-like upheaval was possible in India. This drew the BJP’s wrath and stern condemnation from various quarters.

Notably, Bangladesh plunged into chaos after the student riots forced Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and her sudden escape from the country.

What followed was an attack on religious places of Hindus and other minorities. Mobs attacked many Hindu houses and vandalised their properties after the country became ‘headless’.

Hindus, constituting about 8 per cent of the population of Bangladesh, saw the desecration of their temples by the rampaging Islamist mobs. These attacks, reports said, continued even after the interim government under Mohammad Younus, a Nobel laureate, took charge.

Rahul Gandhi Demanding Caste Census

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has been vocally pushing for a nationwide caste census. Many citizens view this initiative as an attempt to create divisions among Hindus based on caste.

Recently, he even questioned why there were no OBC, Dalits, or Adivasis in the Miss India pageant. Earlier, he questioned why there were no SC, ST, or OBC officers in the Budget Halwa ceremony.

An article in OPEN Magazine reported an incident involving a conversation between an airline executive and Rahul Gandhi. The article said that Rahul asked, “Can you share with me the caste profile of people who travel on your airline?” While the airline official declined this request, stating that such information is never collected from passengers, this raises questions about Rahul Gandhi’s sinister agenda.

Despite Rahul Gandhi’s shrillness in seeking the caste census, Congress bodies, like the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, have no members from SC, ST, or OBC. Neither has any Congress government in the state conducted a caste census and released a report.

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The post “If We’re Divided, We’ll Be Shredded; Together We’re Safe”: UP CM Yogi Adityanath Warns Amidst Rahul Gandhi’s Pitch For Caste Census And Bangladesh Crisis appeared first on The Commune.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on 26 June 2024 moved a resolution in the State Assembly calling on the Central Government to initiate the census work immediately, including a caste-based population census. The resolution emphasized the importance of a caste-based census for formulating policies to ensure equal rights and opportunities in education, economy, and employment for all citizens of India. “This House considers that caste-based Population Census is essential to formulate policies in order to ensure equal rights and equal opportunities in education, economy, and employment to every citizen of India,” the resolution stated. It also urged the Union Government to commence the overdue census work from 2021 along with the caste-based census.

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin moves a resolution in the State Assembly urging the Central Government to immediately commence the census work, along with caste-based population census this time. pic.twitter.com/TQ82jejt3S

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2024

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party Chief K Annamalai posted on his social media handle regarding the move by Chief Minister Stalin. He wrote, “The Kulasekaran Commission, set up by the previous state government in Tamil Nadu, was not given a simple six-month extension by the DMK Government after coming to power. Tamil Nadu could have had its own Caste Census by now, and TN CM Thiru @MKStalin is duty-bound to explain to the people of TN and its representatives in the legislative assembly why the extension was not given. We also wish to inform the TN CM that the Socio-economic Caste Census in 2011, which the Congress Government never released despite 99.3% enumeration by December 2013, was conducted with the support of the Ministry of Rural Development through the respective “State Governments“. Why is the TN CM Thiru @MKStalin unwilling to commission a caste census?”

The Kulasekaran Commission, set up by the previous state government in Tamil Nadu, was not given a simple six-month extension by the DMK Government after coming to power. Tamil Nadu could have had its own Caste Census by now, and TN CM Thiru @MKStalin is dutybound to explain to… https://t.co/vPCSfGtA5D

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) June 26, 2024

(with inputs from ANI)

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The post TN BJP Chief Annamalai Slams MK Stalin Govt Over Resolution Urging Centre To Conduct Caste Census Immediately appeared first on The Commune.

DisInfo Lab, an online media and non-profit entities watchdog, has exposed a coordinated effort by foreign actors to clandestinely influence the outcome of the 2024 Indian election. Through a series of revelations, it has alleged that millions of dollars have been funneled from nations such as China to Israel with the aim of impacting the election results. Of particular concern is the involvement of Western powers, including the European Union and the United States.

The 2024 elections witnessed unprecedented levels of foreign interference, with foreign media coverage overwhelmingly negative and blatantly biased. Western media outlets employed exaggerated language and double standards, injecting a predetermined narrative into online discourse akin to a competitive mud-slinging contest.

For instance, the BBC published articles with titles like “AI and deepfakes blur reality in Indian elections” and “Lok Sabha 2024: Modi’s party volunteers targeting 100,000 people a day,” while also accusing Modi’s party of demonizing Muslims in videos. Al Jazeera, funded by the Qatari government, ran stories such as “Deepfake democracy: Behind the AI trickery shaping India’s 2024 election” and “Vote Jihad: As Modi raised Anti-Muslim India election pitch, what’s next?” Meanwhile, The Guardian highlighted issues like “How an Indian state became a testing ground for Hindu Nationalism.”

Certain media outlets received implicit or explicit funding, while others were backed by organizations with questionable agendas, such as crafting biased narratives sourced from dubious origins like “random WhatsApp groups” or portraying individuals supported by Pakistan in a positive light. Amidst this cacophony, a disturbing effort to interfere at the micro level and shape voter perceptions was underway. Christophe Jaffrelot, an Indologist  writes extensively on India, emerged as a key figure orchestrating this narrative, particularly promoting a divisive discourse around the caste census, originating from France.

The French media, notably LeMonde, LeSoir, France24, among others, exhibited an unusual level of interest in the Indian elections, often citing Jaffrelot as an expert on various Indian affairs.

Surprisingly, the French media showed an unusual level of interest in the Indian elections 2024 more than other medias of the world.

Jaffrelot, along with his associate Gilles Verniers, operating through the Trivedi Centre for Political Data (TCPD) at Ashoka University, aggressively propagated the notion that lower castes were underrepresented in Indian politics, citing statistics from the 2014 Lok Sabha. However, their stance swiftly shifted when the 2019 Lok Sabha elections revealed an increase in representation from lower castes.

While the duo’s difficulty in accurately categorizing castes sparks its own debate, it hasn’t impacted Jaffrelot’s media “credibility.” His emergence as a proponent of the caste census narrative has actually led to an unprecedented level of references to him across various media outlets in a remarkably short span of time.

Upon delving into social media discussions, we can observe a consistent trend mirroring research findings. Mentions of Jaffrelot in relation to Caste census reached unprecedented levels. This surge coincided with Jaffrelot’s publication of a paper advocating for a caste census in September 2021, suggesting a significant influence on the discourse.

However, what was particularly noteworthy was that the conversation around Caste Census didn’t arise organically, as evidenced by posting patterns. There seemed to be no inherent stimulus for these discussions, akin to observations in news media spanning from India to France. It was almost as if there was an invisible orchestrator guiding the narrative.

It turned out there was indeed an influential force at play, one as potent as any. Concurrent with the discourse on caste and Christophe Jaffrelot’s remarkable popularity, a parallel development unfolded. Jaffrelot had secured substantial funding from the US-based philanthropic entity, the Henry Luce Foundation (HLF), during a similar timeframe.

Henry Luce Foundation (HLF) established by Henry Luce, renowned as the founder of TIME magazine, the HLF’s connections to the deep state are lesser-known. Luce, born to Presbyterian Christian Missionaries and notably supported by another Presbyterian, Nancy McCormicks, had ties to the CIA’s MockingBird project, which utilized media and journalists for covert operations. Luce provided cover for CIA operatives under TIME’s auspices, and his involvement in significant CIA cover-ups is documented.

Despite the founder’s proximity to the deep state, HLF is currently staffed with former US government officials, including a former Deputy Secretary of Defense. HLF collaborates closely with organizations such as AsiaFoundation, CFR, and CSIS.

What was the purpose of this funding? It was allocated as part of a project titled ‘Muslims in a Time of Hindu Majoritarianism,’ granting a substantial sum of $385,000 to Jaffrelot for this endeavor. Such overtly biased subject matter would likely be deemed unacceptable for any other nation, yet it strangely passes muster when directed against India.

Remarkably, the entire narrative surrounding the elections seemed to align precisely with the narrative for which the HLF had pledged funding to the French expert as far back as 2020-21, spanning three years. Additionally, funding was extended to various media outlets.

While the editorial boards of HLF and Time Magazine are purportedly independent entities, there seems to be an enigmatic force at play, as Time’s coverage of Indian Elections 2024 closely echoed HLF’s motives for supporting figures like Jaffrelot. This narrative permeated throughout various channels, appearing ubiquitous.

The narrative extends further, HLF has distributed funds to various other organizations focused on ‘research’ concerning India, many of which received funding around 2020/21, spanning three years until 2024. These organizations, known for their anti-India stance, were tasked with similar agendas.

For instance, Berkeley’s Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs received a three-year grant of $346,000 in 2021, culminating in the publication of a report in late 2023 titled “The Hindu Right and India’s Religious Diplomacy.”

Another recipient, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), received $120,000, producing articles on topics like “Authoritarian repression, Hindu Nationalism, emerging Hindu Vote,” among others.

This isn’t the first time CEIP received funding from HLF; in November 2018, they received $40,000 for a project on “Religious Populism and the Future of Indian Democracy,” coinciding with the publication of “The BJP in Power: Indian Democracy and Religious Nationalism” just prior to the 2019 elections. Human Rights Watch (HRW) was allocated $300,000 from HLF to “document religious violence in Asia,” with a focus on countries like India, Myanmar, and Indonesia, as indicated by the HRW URL.

The story gets even more interesting. HLF has given funds to fronts with known affiliations with radical Islamists and even Pak-ISI that were exposed repeatedly for their anti-India propaganda – the likes of Angana Chatterjee, famous for association with convicted ISI mole Ghulam Nabi Fai

One of her organizations, PCRes-CRG, received a substantial sum of $370,000 in April 2021 to investigate “fault-lines between citizenship, religion, and belonging” in South Asia. Notably, Jaffrelot collaborates with Angana on PCRes-acbcd.

PCRes has been actively hosting events since October 2023, focusing on topics like Caste line, Islamophobia, Hindu Nationalism, Indian elections 2024, and Manipur (in partnership with Niang Hangzo, Co-Founder of NAMTA), coinciding with the lead-up to the 2024 elections.

Audrey Truschke, who established the South Asia Scholar Activist Collective (SASAC) in July 2021, also received funding from HLF in May 2023 and published a “Reporting Guide on Hindu Nationalism,” citing the discredited Pakistani project, “HindutvaWatch“.

In summary, HLF, known for its ties to the deep state, has invested millions of dollars in organizations with overtly anti-India biases, strategically timed to coincide with the Indian election cycle. Unlike the Russia Hoax against Donald Trump, this constitutes election interference by the book.

Entering Soros! Intriguingly, the organizations and individuals funded by HLF largely overlap with those supported by the Soros network. Notably, NAMATI, founded by Canadian Ricken Patel, received $300,000 from HLF in 2022 and $13,859,970 from OSF between 2016 and 2022.

Namati redirects its focus towards TCPD, receiving financial backing from Luce/Soros, which subsequently funneled funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), a collaborative organization with TCPD, amounting to at least Rs 12 crore. Jaffrelot was hosted by TCPD. However, funding issues arose, leading to the Indian Income Tax Department revoking CPR’s FCRA.

Patel, known for his serial activism, previously established AVAAZ, Respublica, and Moveon, and served on Access Now’s advisory board—all entities supported by the Open Society Foundations (OSF). In March 2023, Ricken Patel of NAMATI assumed leadership of ‘Friends of Democracy,’ advocating against the ruling party to protect India. Coincidentally, another entity, Friends of Democracy PAC, was co-founded by Jonathan Soros, son of George Soros.

How does ‘Friends of Democracy‘ contribute to India’s salvation? By disseminating propaganda against India’s procurement of Russian oil. If there’s any uncertainty about the narrative, Patel has provided clarity on the matter.

Their strategy involves propagandizing against India’s purchase of Russian oil. While the extent of influence wielded by these narratives, promoted by partly discredited activists and scholars, on Indian voters remains speculative, their infiltration into societal divides is undeniable.

Even more alarming is the enduring impact—’scholars’ such as Audreys and Jaffrelots mutually validate each other, establishing an extensive reference network that will likely shape the narrative on India for the foreseeable future. For instance, Wikipedia. These narratives will subsequently feed into AI models, further perpetuating the tarnished portrayal of India’s history, anchored in the work of discredited scholars, and perpetuated endlessly in printed materials.

(This article is based on the X threads by DisInfo Lab & their research report)

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The post The Nexus Of Covert Foreign Interference Attempt In India’s 2024 Lok Sabha Elections appeared first on The Commune.

In a recent article in the OPEN Magazine, an incident involving a conversation between an airline executive and Rahul Gandhi was discussed. The article said that Rahul asked, “Can you share with me the caste profile of people who travel on your airline?” While the airline official declined this request stating that such information is never collected from passengers, this raises questions about the sinister agenda of Rahul Gandhi.

Scary stuff from Rahul Gandhi

NOT LONG AGO, AN AIRLINE HONCHO happened to get a call from Rahul Gandhi.

"Can you share with me the caste profile of people who travel on your airline? "

His response :No informa­tion about the caste of his passengers.https://t.co/liTm1nDP2j pic.twitter.com/2rYyJgeGFJ

— narne kumar06 (@narne_kumar06) April 16, 2024

If you thought this was a parody, no, it wasn’t. This makes even more sense, especially with the Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s obsession with the caste census. It is noteworthy that the caste census is a part of the Congress manifesto. 

Divisive Politics

This bizarre request reflects Gandhi’s obsession with caste, raising questions about his agenda and its implications for India’s unity. Gandhi’s demand for caste data underscores his divisive approach, focusing on identity politics rather than national development. His fixation on caste demographics reveals a troubling agenda to perpetuate social divisions for political gain.

A few days ago, we reported on how the Congress’s caste census proposal could be a part of the Vatican’s Joshua Project. 

Joshua Project

The Joshua Project, headquartered in the United States, focuses on Christian missions and maintains a detailed database of ethnic groups worldwide who have not yet embraced Christianity. They meticulously document various details, including caste, language, creed, and population size, with a focus on reaching unreached people groups. The organization provides resources for missionary efforts and tracks progress, noting how many groups remain unreached.

In the context of India, the Joshua Project’s website offers extensive data on various segments such as people groups, states, communities, and religions. Detailed information is available for specific regions, revealing a multitude of diverse groups, including those who have converted from Hinduism to Christianity, such as the “Brahmin Christians.” The comprehensive dataset, possibly compiled from census data, provides insights into the demographics of different regions.

The Congress party’s persistent push for a caste census raises suspicions about its potential support for the Joshua Project’s conversion efforts. While many naysayers may brush off the caste profile request by Rahul Gandhi to the airline official as fake, his constant push for the caste census and caste especially during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra where he dog-whistled the caste of a journalist led to the crowd beating him up. 

Journalist Shiv Prasad Yadav, an OBC, was beaten by Congress workers in front of Rahul Gandhi because Rahul got aggressive.

Rahul talks about OBC Nyay, calls them 50% wale Babbar Sher and then Congress beat them.

Is this how Congress treats Yadavs of UP? pic.twitter.com/JrcISdbG8z

— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) February 21, 2024

If the Congress or its alliance comes to power, the likelihood of conducting a caste census using taxpayer funds could effectively aid the goals of the Joshua Project, particularly in India, where conversion efforts have faced challenges, especially during the Modi tenure.

Overall, the nexus between the Congress’ advocacy for a caste census and the possible link with the Joshua Project raises questions about the party’s intentions and its potential implications for India’s social fabric and religious diversity. 

Rahul Gandhi’s caste-driven agenda and Congress’ divisive policies pose a grave threat to India’s unity and progress. As the nation braces for the upcoming elections, it’s imperative to reject divisive politics and embrace a vision of unity and inclusive development for all citizens.

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The post “Can You Share With Me The Caste Profile Of People Who Travel On Your Airline?”, Rahul Gandhi Allegedly Asks Airline Honcho appeared first on The Commune.