BBMP suspends 10 civic officials after QR-coded caste census stickers found on bikes, tea stalls
The exercise to collect information regarding members of 101 communities falling under the Scheduled Caste category has been mired in controversy since it was launched in Bengaluru on June 23.
Several citizens have alleged that QR-coded stickers marking Scheduled Caste (SC) households have been pasted on buildings, vehicles, and even tea stalls in a random manner.
In 2015, the Congress government spent ₹170 Cr on a caste census in Karnataka, then blamed dogs for its flaws. Now in Bengaluru, BBMP is pasting caste stickers without collecting any data. From dogs to data-less drama, Congress's idea of social justice is a comedy of errors. pic.twitter.com/aKUqspfI0G
— P C Mohan (@PCMohanMP) July 3, 2025
Suralkar Vikas Kishore, Special Commissioner (Welfare), BBMP, admitted to gaps in carrying out the census. He, however, said, 'If the sticker is pasted on a non-SC house, they can just ignore it and if the house occupants belong to the SC community, then they can call the helpline number, and the field officers will visit them. Or they can participate in the survey online by using the QR-coded sticker.'
'We have suspended 10 officials for their shoddy work, and we will initiate action against them. But these stickers don't indicate that the survey is completed,' he added.
Meanwhile, several Bengaluru residents flagged issues relating to the survey on social media.
'Please let me know the caste of HONDA ACTIVA!' one social media user sarcastically posted on X after he spotted the sticker on his two-wheeler.
In another case, BBMP officials allegedly tried to paste the QR-coded sticker on a building in Chikkalasandra without speaking to the residents.
Shashank, son of the house owner, said, 'We were inside the house when they (BBMP officials) arrived. They did not ask for any details and failed to show their ID cards. When we told them that they could not paste the sticker without collecting the details, the BBMP officials assaulted us. We went to the Subramanyapura police station to file a complaint. The civic officials, thereafter, apologised to us, so we returned without filing a complaint.'
Medha S, a resident of Puttenahalli, said, 'These people are pasting the stickers like how product sales executives throw pamphlets inside houses. They are doing this despite knowing that there are occupants in the house.'
Reacting to the controversy, Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra said on X, 'The so-called Caste Survey is nothing more than a hollow spectacle, orchestrated by CM Siddaramaiah with no real political will to implement it meaningfully. This exercise – born out of the Congress government's continued apathy towards internal reservation – has now become a subject of public mockery. Media reports and citizen accounts point to a farcical execution, where enumerators merely paste stickers and leave without any genuine engagement with residents.'
'Let's not forget: the Kantharaj Commission report was submitted in 2015. Yet, during his full five-year term as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah chose not to act on it. CM Siddaramaiah must stop misleading marginalised communities with half-hearted theatrics. The people of Karnataka don't need empty promises – they deserve results,' he added.
The BBMP has claimed that it has till now identified over 6.7 lakh SC individuals after covering more than 1.8 lakh SC households in the city.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
17 minutes ago
- News18
How Elon Musk Could Upend US Politics—And Why India Should Pay Attention
Last Updated: Elon Musk's new American Party could have ripple effects for India, given his deep business ties and disruptive influence. Find out how Billionaire Elon Musk has made his starkest threat to President Donald Trump after he stepped away from politics by launching his 'American Party'. The development comes after Musk condemned Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill" (new tax bill) on social media platform X a few days ago. 'Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame! And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth," he wrote. The President on Sunday assailed Musk, describing him as 'off the rails", over his new party announcement. 'I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday evening. 'He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States." The American Party confirms the rupture in Trump's relationship with Musk, who spent millions of dollars to support the Republican leaders in his campaign. Trump, in return, rewarded the businessman with a new position in the Department Of Government Efficiency, which oversaw drastic cuts to government staffing. Let us understand how Musk's new party threatens Trump's political capital and how the President could hurt the businessman. How Musk Could Threaten Trump Politically? With a net worth of $405 billion, Musk could single-handedly reshape US politics. In 2024, he poured $295 million into Republican campaigns—mostly backing Trump. While that's a record-breaking sum in politics, it's pocket change for Musk. For context, in 2023 and 2024, the total amount of money raised by all presidential candidates was only $2 billion, according to the Federal Election Commission. Congressional candidates raised $3.8 billion, while PACs raised a more respectable $15.7 billion. It won't be difficult for Musk to match those amounts because his wealth is tied up in stocks that can't easily be unloaded all at once. Based on last week's share prices, he could pay for the entire 2024 election cycle by liquidating just one fifth of his reported $130 billion stake in Tesla. He has also suggested donating the amount to Republican representative Thomas Massie, a persistent critic of Trump's. There's still another $100 million Musk previously promised Trump that he could decide to withhold, as per The Independent. He could even bankroll Democrats, who will likely take it (although Trump has threatened 'serious consequences" in that scenario). They are politicians, after all. While third parties rarely challenge America's two-party system, Musk's billions could disrupt the 2026 congressional elections — if he chooses to spend big, reports NPR. Interestingly, Musk believes that 80% of Americans share his views—a claim that seems far from reality. According to polling expert Nate Silver, Musk's net favourability stands at a weighted average of -18%, significantly lower than even Trump's, The Independent reported. Clash Of Personalities Musk has cultivated a loyal following that mirrors—and in some ways surpasses—the fervent base of Trump. Both men command near-religious devotion from supporters, blending celebrity, controversy, and populist rhetoric to dominate public discourse. But while Trump's appeal stems from his 'America First" nationalism and brash persona, Musk's influence is built on his image as a visionary technocrat, the real-life Tony Stark bending the future to his will. His tweets move markets, his memes go viral, and his every pronouncement sparks global debate. Where Trump mastered TV and rallies, Musk dominates X (formerly Twitter), using the platform to amplify conspiracy theories, troll critics, and position himself as a free-speech crusader. The parallels run deep. Both men thrive on polarisation, calling themselves as anti-establishment outsiders despite their immense wealth and power. Trump had his 'fake news" mantra; Musk decries 'woke mind viruses." Both attract fans who see them as truth-tellers fighting corrupt elites—even as Musk's companies benefit from government subsidies and Trump's presidency was defined by corporate favouritism. Their supporters dismiss scandals (Trump's indictments, Musk's erratic behaviour) as evidence of a rigged system targeting their hero. But Musk's cult may be more dangerous because it's apolitical at its core. Trump's base is ideological; Musk's is transactional, united by tech utopianism rather than policy. As the 2024 election showed, his endorsements—or withheld donations—can sway races. With his wealth, platform, and fanbase, Musk doesn't just rival Trump's influence—he's rewriting the rules of political power itself. The question isn't whether he'll reshape elections, but how far he's willing to go. How Musk Has Global Influence Musk's power extends far beyond any single nation or sector, giving him leverage few can match. For example, NASA depends entirely on SpaceX—currently the only reliable transporter of astronauts to the International Space Station. His satellite venture, Starlink, has become indispensable to militaries and governments worldwide, including US agencies. But his influence is far beyond. Thanks to Tesla's role in jumpstarting China's electric vehicle dominance, Musk enjoys both a massive fanbase in China and good relations with the Chinese Communist Party. Reports show Chinese supporters rally behind him—one Weibo user recently declared, 'Brother Musk, you've got over a billion people on our side backing you." Perhaps most intriguing, however, is the political ammunition Musk may possess. After spending months deeply embedded in Trump's White House, he likely holds insider knowledge that could damage Trump if revealed. Musk recently hinted at Trump's inclusion in the Epstein files, reviving long-standing (though unproven) associations between Trump and the disgraced financier. While nothing new, the remark demonstrates Musk's willingness to weaponise controversy. What Musk's Party Means For India? Musk's new American Party could have ripple effects for India, given his deep business ties and disruptive influence. As the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and owner of X, Musk wields significant economic and technological leverage—factors that directly impact India's tech and space ambitions. If his party gains traction, it could reshape US-India relations, particularly in areas like trade, climate policy, and defence. India has actively courted Musk, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking Tesla to invest in local manufacturing and SpaceX exploring partnerships with ISRO for satellite broadband via Starlink. A Musk-aligned US political movement prioritising deregulation and private-sector innovation could accelerate these collaborations, benefiting India's renewable energy and space sectors. However, his unpredictable stance on issues like free speech and trade protectionism might introduce volatility. For instance, if Musk pushes for US tech dominance at the expense of global partnerships, Indian start-ups relying on American markets or investments could face hurdles. top videos View all Politically, Musk's anti-establishment rhetoric could resonate with India's youth and tech elites, but his libertarian leanings could be an issue with India's regulatory frameworks. His influence could also complicate India's balancing act between the US and China—especially if his party takes a hardline stance on Beijing, given Tesla's reliance on Chinese supply chains. While Musk's political venture might open doors for tech-driven cooperation, India must navigate his policies and prepare for both opportunities and disruptions in trade, diplomacy, and innovation. About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : elon musk India-US relations SpaceX Starlink Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 07, 2025, 14:35 IST News india How Elon Musk Could Upend US Politics—And Why India Should Pay Attention
Economic Times
37 minutes ago
- Economic Times
VA avoids mass layoffs: How Veterans Affairs is protecting jobs and care amid staffing cuts
The Veterans Affairs Department will reduce staff by 30,000 through retirements. This avoids large layoffs initially planned. Veterans groups and Congress worried about the impact on veteran care. The VA assures safeguards are in place to protect services. Staff reductions happened through attrition and a hiring freeze. Secretary Collins says performance is improving despite fewer employees. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Veterans and workers fought against big job cuts Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads VA keeps services safe while staff leaves VA safeguards care amid cuts and protests FAQs The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said on Monday it will not do a big layoff like many other federal agencies did under the Trump administration's U.S. DOGE Service. VA was originally planning to cut nearly 83,000 workers, as revealed in a leaked memo in March, but now it will only reduce staff by about 30,000 employees by the end of this fiscal year, as per the Secretary Douglas A. Collins had earlier said these cuts were 'tough but necessary' and warned staff to 'get used to it.' The White House said cutting VA staff would make the agency less 'bloated' and more efficient and transparent, as per the report by The Washington many veterans and advocacy groups strongly opposed the deep cuts, saying it would hurt the quality of VA services. VA employees' morale dropped, and many workers left their jobs because of fears about layoffs. The VA decided not to do a big Reduction in Force (RIF) after veterans groups, Congress, and staff warned that fewer workers would hurt veteran make up a large part of the federal workforce, so cutting VA jobs risked upsetting a key Republican voting group. President Trump is popular with veterans and had said he would not cut their VA benefits. VA avoided big layoffs because many workers left voluntarily through retirement, normal job attrition, and delayed resignations, as stated by the reports.A federal hiring freeze also helped reduce staff numbers without forced layoffs. VA had about 484,000 employees in January but had about 467,000 by June—a loss of 17,000 workers. Between July and September, VA expects 12,000 more employees to leave by normal attrition or retirement programs, as mentioned in the report by The Washington an email to VA staff, Secretary Collins said after four months of study and action, VA is 'headed in the right direction' for both staff levels and customer service. Collins said even with 30,000 staff leaving, VA performance is improving, like fewer veterans waiting for disability benefits and better claims processing, according to the said it has safeguards to protect veteran care and benefits during staff reductions, with many mission-critical jobs exempt from retirement offers and hiring freezes. The VA is one of the biggest federal employers and provides medical care to millions of veterans and families, as per the in the year, VA already lost 2,400 workers due to layoffs in February. Thousands of VA workers chose early retirement this spring to avoid future cuts. In June, thousands of veterans protested in Washington and many other states against more VA staff cuts, according to the report by The Washington reversal on big layoffs may also reflect the loss of power of Elon Musk and the DOGE team, who started cutting staff aggressively in January but later fell out with Trump and left. Some DOGE team members remain in government, working on Trump's policies like changing gun rules and federal regulations, as stated by the month, DOGE lost control over awarding billions in federal funds, showing its reduced influence. Collins thanked VA staff in his email, calling them 'an important part' of the effort to improve the agency, as mentioned in the report by The Washington the VA plans to reduce staff by about 30,000 through retirements and attrition, avoiding large VA says it has safeguards to protect veteran care and mission-critical jobs during staff reductions.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Uddhav hits out at CM over ‘rudali' comment, calls him ‘perverted and mean-spirited'
Mumbai: Hitting back at CM Devendra Fadnavis for his comment that the Thackeray cousins' 'reunion' rally was a "rudali" (professional women mourners) act and not a "victory celebration", Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the "original BJP " was "dead" and that "those who feel sad about the happy moments of Marathi people are very perverted and mean-spirited." Uddhav also clarified that he was not against any language but was against Hindi compulsion or the imposition of any language. "If they want to have three languages, they must tell us what third language will be taught in Uttar Pradesh," he said. "I can understand their (BJP) mentality because the original BJP is dead. It was murdered by these people. 'Rudali' is also a Hindi word. They have taken help from our party, Congress, NCP, and parties across the country to get people to express sorrow because the original BJP is dead," Uddhav said while speaking at Vidhan Bhavan. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai He also hit out at BJP minister Ashish Shelar, who compared the terrorists in Pahalgam to those assaulting non-Marathis in Mumbai. "We Shiv Sainiks are helping people without looking at caste or religion. Those who are comparing Marathi people with the terrorists of Pahalgam are the real killers of Marathi. They cannot even save Hindus; they are taking sides with those who do injustice to Marathi. If any BJP member is comparing a Marathi person who agitates for rights with the terrorists of Pahalgam, they are the killers of Marathi. So did the terrorists of Pahalgam join the BJP? They should tell us. Where did they go? Are they living in the houses of those who accused us? It is the misfortune of Maharashtra that such incompetent people are ruling in Maharashtra," he said. Uddhav also held a meeting of Sena (UBT) legislators in Vidhan Bhavan and asked them to remind assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar about the appointment of the leader of ppposition (LoP) in the assembly. The Sena (UBT) will give a reminder letter to Narwekar on Tuesday asking him to make a decision on appointing an LoP. Narwekar has said they are studying the rules and examining if the LoP's post can be given if a party has less than 10% MLAs. After the budget session, this is the second session of the new Mahayuti govt without an LoP in the assembly. Uddhav hits out at CM over 'rudali' comment, calls him 'perverted and mean-spirited' Chaitanya Marpakwar Mumbai: Hitting back at CM Devendra Fadnavis for his comment that the Thackeray cousins' 'reunion' rally was a "rudali" (professional women mourners) act and not a "victory celebration", Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the "original BJP" was "dead" and that "those who feel sad about the happy moments of Marathi people are very perverted and mean-spirited." Uddhav also clarified that he was not against any language but was against Hindi compulsion or the imposition of any language. "If they want to have three languages, they must tell us what third language will be taught in Uttar Pradesh," he said. "I can understand their (BJP) mentality because the original BJP is dead. It was murdered by these people. 'Rudali' is also a Hindi word. They have taken help from our party, Congress, NCP, and parties across the country to get people to express sorrow because the original BJP is dead," Uddhav said while speaking at Vidhan Bhavan. He also hit out at BJP minister Ashish Shelar, who compared the terrorists in Pahalgam to those assaulting non-Marathis in Mumbai. "We Shiv Sainiks are helping people without looking at caste or religion. Those who are comparing Marathi people with the terrorists of Pahalgam are the real killers of Marathi. They cannot even save Hindus; they are taking sides with those who do injustice to Marathi. If any BJP member is comparing a Marathi person who agitates for rights with the terrorists of Pahalgam, they are the killers of Marathi. So did the terrorists of Pahalgam join the BJP? They should tell us. Where did they go? Are they living in the houses of those who accused us? It is the misfortune of Maharashtra that such incompetent people are ruling in Maharashtra," he said. Uddhav also held a meeting of Sena (UBT) legislators in Vidhan Bhavan and asked them to remind assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar about the appointment of the leader of ppposition (LoP) in the assembly. The Sena (UBT) will give a reminder letter to Narwekar on Tuesday asking him to make a decision on appointing an LoP. Narwekar has said they are studying the rules and examining if the LoP's post can be given if a party has less than 10% MLAs. After the budget session, this is the second session of the new Mahayuti govt without an LoP in the assembly.
