Udupi’s Reputation Untarnished by Special Task Force, Asserts Dr. G. Parameshwar
Udupi: Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar has affirmed that the recently formed Special Task Force (STF) is not intended to designate any district, including Udupi, as communally sensitive. Speaking to the media in Udupi following a visit and prayer offering at the Kollur Mookambika Temple on Saturday, Dr. Parameshwar addressed concerns regarding the potential impact of the STF on the district’s reputation.
“The government has not formed the Special Task Force to label any district as a communally sensitive area. The Special Task Force will not harm the prestige of Udupi district,” Dr. Parameshwar stated emphatically. He clarified that the task force was established in response to specific incidents occurring in the coastal region and not as a blanket designation for any particular district.
“The task force was formed based on incidents that have occurred or are occurring in the coastal region. We have not created it to designate any district as a communally sensitive area. I have already said that the task force is not necessary and publicly appealed that it should not be used. If no communal incidents occur, there is no need for this task force,” he explained.
Dr. Parameshwar further challenged the allegations made by Udupi legislators, asserting that the presence of the STF would not diminish the district’s prestige. He drew parallels with the establishment of the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) headquarters in Karkala, questioning whether that had negatively impacted Udupi’s reputation. He also noted that the presence of a police force, in general, does not equate to a loss of prestige.
Addressing his visit to the Kollur Mookambika Temple, Dr. Parameshwar characterized it as a personal matter, stating, “My visit to the temple is a personal matter and is not official. I will not say more about this. Visiting the temple is part of our tradition. I have offered my respects to Goddess Mookambika. You need not ask why or what; I will not explain.”
Regarding the ongoing issue of the state’s caste census, Dr. Parameshwar acknowledged the opposition from various communities and organizations who claim the existing data is inaccurate and underrepresents their populations. He stated that the Cabinet has considered these concerns and has decided to conduct a fresh caste census.
“The caste census uses data that is ten years old, as the enumeration was done a decade ago. There was a suggestion to consider the addition of one crore people. Taking this into account, the government has decided to conduct a fresh caste census,” he elaborated.
Dr. Parameshwar emphasized that the new census would be conducted scientifically, incorporating an enumeration of one crore people. He differentiated the state’s caste census from the central government’s general census, highlighting that the former would specifically address social, educational, and economic aspects to compile relevant data. He also stated that the previous caste census conducted by Kantaraju and Jayaprakash Hegde will not be ignored.
