Karnataka: Controversial Caste Census report tabled in Cabinet

The final report of the Social and Educational Survey, known as caste survey, submitted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission in 2024 was tabled in the cabinet on Friday (April 11).

A special cabinet meeting has been scheduled on April 17 to hold an elaborate discussion on the contoversial report.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the decision during the Cabinet meeting. He instructed Minister for Backward Classes Welfare Shivaraj Tangadagi to distribute sealed copies of the report to all ministers and asked them to come prepared for a discussion on the designated day.

Vokkaliga-Lingayat ministers oppose

Meanwhile, sources indicate that ministers from the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities raised objections during the Cabinet meeting, arguing the report is unscientific and outdated, having been prepared eight years ago and only submitted to the government a year ago.

They expressed concerns over the lack of accurate and current demographic data for Karnataka. They also pointed out potential inconsistencies between the 2011 census and the upcoming census.

Special discussion planned

Given the growing concerns, a special cabinet meeting will be held on April 17 to focus exclusively on the caste census report. No other issues will be taken up that day.

The report was submitted by Jayaprakash Hegde, based on the caste census initiated in 2015 under the leadership of H Kantharaj. The survey faced strong opposition from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, Vokkaliga, and other dominant backward castes, who slammed the report for being unscientific and outdated and demanded it be rejected.

Despite these objections, the government has presented the report to the cabinet. Heated discussions, both for and against the report, were held during the session, according to sources.

Subcommittee to review report

The cabinet resolved to form a subcommittee led by Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa to review the caste census report. The subcommittee will include ministers G Parameshwara, KJ George, Shivraj Tangadagi, HK Patil, and others representing various communities. This panel will study the data and make recommendations to the government.

The caste census report, with 13 volumes, has:

• Detailed information on various castes' social, educational, and economic conditions.

•Caste-wise population data.

• Characteristics of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

• Caste data at the constituency level.

• Analysis of the 2015 socio-educational survey data.

• It also includes insights into communities’ political representation, employment status, economic situation, and educational standing.

(The article first appeared in The Federal Karnataka)