Bangalore: It seems Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah does not think that all farmers and villagers are equal. He thinks that poor among some castes are more equal than the others. Siddaramaiah, who openly practises the AHINDA (minorities, other backward classes and Dalits) brand of politics, has gone a step further. He has now announced that the milk produced by Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe milk producers will get Rs 2 extra subsidy.
This decision has attracted statewide criticism. Even many leaders among the ruling Congress party are openly attacking the Chief Minister for dividing the state on caste lines. They claim that this exclusive subsidy for the SC and ST milk producers is a very bad practice and it will finally create a rift among the farmers and villagers across the state.
The main opposition BJP has also attacked Siddaramaiah for his blatant caste politics and his 'hatred' for upper castes. Former chief minister and MP BS Yeddyurappa said that he would write a letter to chief minister asking him to extend the same subsidy to all milk producers irrespective of their caste and religion.
Another BJP leader KS Eshwarappa has described the decision as a very dangerous one. He said, "We are happy if the SC and ST get more subsidy for their milk. But what crime the other castes have committed? The chief minister has set a very bad example and such a decision should not be taken in the first place."
Siddaramaiah extending monitory benefits to a few select castes is not new. A few months ago, he had started a government sponsored state tour only for the Muslim and OBC children. After it led to a statewide protest, he was forced to extend it to all poor children.
His critics argue that Siddaramaiah has a prejudice against all upper castes and hates them for no reason. They say that his decision is aimed at strengthening his vote bank by promoting only a few castes at the cost of other castes, which are also equally poor.
Comments
0 comment