Is Congress Genuinely Fighting For Justice, Or Scoring Points?
Amid intensifying debates around caste census, social justice, and political accountability, senior ministers in Karnataka’s Congress government have come forward with strong statements addressing both national political discourse and state-level governance issues.
Santosh Lad, Karnataka’s Labour Minister, and HK Patil, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, have publicly endorsed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterated the party’s long-standing support for a caste census, and addressed pressing local issues such as heavy rainfall in Hubballi.
The remarks come as the state prepares for a crucial cabinet meeting, where a final decision on a new caste-based survey is expected. The Congress government is positioning itself as a party consistent on the issue of reservation and caste data, while accusing the BJP of hypocrisy and political gimmickry.
Congress Ministers Defend Caste Census, Slam BJP’s “Opportunism”
Karnataka’s political landscape has been dominated in recent weeks by debates over whether to conduct a fresh caste census, with Congress leaders doubling down on the party’s commitment to social justice and data-driven policymaking.
Santosh Lad, speaking to the media, questioned the BJP’s sudden support for a caste census after years of opposition. “You (media) should ask the BJP because they have always opposed reservation, and suddenly they say they will conduct a caste census. These are all political gimmicks, while Congress has always been talking about caste census,” Lad said.
He also mentioned that financial details of the survey are still being assessed, noting that a more conclusive statement would follow the cabinet meeting.
HK Patil, reinforcing Lad’s remarks, underlined the urgent need to update outdated caste data. “Even many BJP leaders acknowledged in the Assembly that the data used was 10 years old. There is strong public demand now for a re-survey, and the government will take a final view today,” Patil said.
#WATCH | Bengaluru | On caste re-enumeration in the state, Karnataka Minister HK Patil says, " Let me tell you that when this (report) was placed, even many BJP leaders said that since this data was 10 years old, a re-survey should be conducted. Now, responding to people's views,… pic.twitter.com/GpeDOQ2vyi
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
These statements align with Congress’s national position advocating for a comprehensive caste-based enumeration, as part of a larger push for proportional representation and economic planning. The issue has also gained momentum following similar surveys in Bihar and other states, placing pressure on other governments to follow suit.
Congress is now using this platform to expose what it calls the BJP’s “election-time tokenism”, suggesting that the opposition is only backing caste data to woo backward caste voters, rather than acting out of genuine social concern.
Santosh Lad Endorses Kharge’s Remarks on PM Modi
In another strong statement, Santosh Lad publicly backed Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying:
“Whatever Mallikarjun Kharge has been telling is absolutely true. I endorse it because it’s true.”
#WATCH | Bengaluru | On Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's statement on PM Modi, Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad says, "...Whatever Mallikarjun Kharge has been telling is absolutely true. I endorse it because it's true..."
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025
On the caste survey, he says, "I am not aware of how… pic.twitter.com/LR5ymzZOrw
While he did not elaborate on specific comments, Kharge has recently criticized the Prime Minister over his handling of key national issues, from economic inequality to erosion of institutional autonomy. Lad’s endorsement reflects growing confidence within the Congress ranks to challenge central narratives as the party gears up for future national contests.
On local governance, Lad also addressed the heavy rainfall warnings in Hubballi, confirming that a red alert had been issued. He assured citizens that the district administration was monitoring the situation closely and that “so far, the situation is under control.” His remarks highlight the dual role ministers play—balancing national discourse with local responsibility.
The Congress government has been actively responding to weather-related emergencies, providing real-time updates and coordinating disaster management through local agencies. The red alert in Hubballi underscores the need for proactive climate risk monitoring, especially as monsoon patterns become more erratic.
