At a press conference in Hubballi on Saturday, Karnataka Assembly Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad bluntly stated that the Congress is creating hurdles for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. He further argued that the state’s issuance of Permanent Residency Certificates (PRCs) is unlawful, as citizenship matters fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Union government.

Background: What Is SIR?

The SIR is a massive state‑run demographic survey aimed at updating population records and, crucially, identifying illegal entries from neighboring Bangladesh and Pakistan. By canvassing households across Karnataka, the government hopes to generate reliable data that will shape security policies, welfare schemes, and future electoral rolls.

Congress’s Alleged Interference and PRC Controversy

Bellad accused Congress‑aligned officials of distributing enumeration forms in mosques, churches, and the residences of party legislators, thereby undermining the core purpose of the SIR. He warned that such practices could mask the true count of infiltrators. Simultaneously, he labeled the state‑issued PRCs as “unauthorized,” emphasizing that only the Centre can confer citizenship‑related documentation.

Political Overtones

The opposition leader also took a jab at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, noting that while the CM adorns his forehead with vibhuti and kumkum, his rhetoric often targets the Muslim community. Bellad urged the Congress to refrain from defending alleged infiltrators and to prioritize national security.

Voices from the Ranks

Hubballi‑Dharwad Central MLA Mahesh Tenginakai echoed Bellad’s concerns, accusing the Congress‑led state government of manipulating the SIR process and using PRCs to shelter illegal entrants. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the circular authorizing PRCs. Additionally, Home Minister Priyank Kharge was urged to focus on identifying and deporting infiltrators rather than commenting on the RSS.

These statements come at a time when Karnataka’s citizenship‑security issue is highly sensitive, intersecting demographic realities, communal harmony, and broader national security considerations. If the SIR data indeed uncovers a sizable presence of Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals, it could compel both state and central authorities to rethink existing policies and enforcement mechanisms.