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Karnataka 'Dalit Anyay' Row: BJP Accuses Congress of Looting SC/ST Funds

The BJP has launched a fierce attack on the Congress government in Karnataka over the alleged misuse of funds meant for Dalit and tribal welfare. Opposition leader R. Ashoka claims nearly a third of the earmarked money has been diverted to finance the state's guarantee schemes. He described this as "daylight robbery" and a betrayal of the communities the Constitution seeks to protect. The BJP is demanding accountability and an end to what it calls vote-bank politics at the cost of social justice.

Key Points: BJP Alleges Congress Diverted Karnataka SC/ST Welfare Funds

  • BJP alleges 31% of SC/ST welfare funds diverted since 2023 for Congress schemes
  • Accuses government of siphoning money from hostels, education, and housing
  • Claims Rs 25,000 crore under SCP/TSP misused for populist politics
  • Urges CM Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar to stop "looting" funds
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Dalit 'anyay' row: BJP accuses Congress of looting SC/ST welfare funds in Karnataka

BJP accuses Karnataka Congress of diverting Rs 25,000 crore meant for Dalit welfare to finance guarantee schemes, calling it "daylight robbery" of SC/ST rights.

"This is not welfare; this is daylight robbery of SC/ST rights. - R. Ashoka, BJP Leader of Opposition"

Bengaluru, Dec 13

Stepping up its attack on the Congress-led government in Karnataka over the utilisation of funds earmarked for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) welfare, the BJP on Saturday alleged that the “Dalit anyay” (injustice) associated with Rahul Gandhi's politics has been exposed in the State.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka claimed that nearly 31 per cent of funds meant exclusively for the upliftment of SCs and STs had been diverted since 2023 to finance the Congress government's "so-called guarantee schemes".

"This is not welfare; this is daylight robbery of SC/ST rights. Money meant for Dalit hostels, education of SC/ST students, entrepreneurship and livelihoods, and housing has been siphoned off to prop up populist politics," Ashoka charged.

Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi's slogans, Ashoka said, "And then comes the drama -- 'Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq' and 'Samvidhan khatre mein hai'."

"This is Dalit anyay. This is 'Adivasi vishwasghaat'. This is vote-bank politics at the cost of social justice," he alleged.

Ashoka further said that while Rahul Gandhi "lectures the country with the Constitution in hand", governments led by his party were "picking the pockets of the very communities the Constitution seeks to protect".

"Dalits do not need slogans. They need their rightful funds. They need accountability. They need justice -- not deception," he said.

The BJP leader urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to "stop looting SCSP/TSP (Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan) funds and stop exploiting Dalits for political gains".

"Misuse of Dalit funds is the Siddaramaiah government's so-called achievement," Ashoka alleged.

He further accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of betraying Dalit leaders and pursuing "anti-Dalit policies", claiming that funds amounting to Rs 25,000 crore under the SCP/TSP meant for Dalit welfare had been diverted in the name of guarantee schemes.

"Is this your idea of social justice, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah? Is this your commitment to Dalits?" Ashoka asked.

Ashoka also alleged that under the guise of guarantee schemes, the Congress-led Karnataka government had "looted the State's treasury, stalled development, and betrayed the poor, farmers, women and youth".

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Guarantee schemes like Shakti and Gruha Lakshmi are helping millions of women and poor families across Karnataka. Isn't that also social justice? The BJP is just doing politics before elections. 🤔
V
Vikram M
Both parties have a history of using welfare funds for political gains. Remember the BJP's tenure? It's the same old story. The real victims are the Dalit and Adivasi communities who are used as pawns. Very sad state of affairs.
A
Anjali F
As a student from a reserved category, this news is worrying. Scholarships and hostel facilities are already hard to get. If funds are being taken away, where will we go? Education is our only way up. 😟
M
Michael C
Observing from outside, it seems like a classic case of political finger-pointing. The opposition's job is to hold the government accountable, but these claims need to be backed by a transparent audit, not just rhetoric.
K
Karthik V
Ashoka is right. "Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq" sounds hollow if you're taking money meant for the most marginalized. Populist schemes are good, but not at the cost of targeted welfare. Siddaramaiah sir, please clarify.

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