Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced plans for a new caste survey after concerns raised by various stakeholders. After discussions with the Congress high command in Delhi, he stated that the previous survey, conducted in 2015-16, necessitated a fresh enumeration, which he promised would be completed within 90 days.
“Discussions were held regarding the caste census. This was brought up as some organisations, religious heads and even a few ministers have raised concerns. The report submitted on the caste census has been accepted in principle. There is an agreement that a caste enumeration should be conducted. We have also agreed to this,” Karnataka CM said.
“However, we will conduct a fresh survey. Since the last enumeration was done in 2015-16, there is an opinion that a new enumeration is necessary. Just as we are conducting surveys for Scheduled Castes, we will carry out another enumeration. It was discussed that this survey should be completed within 90 days,” he added.
Delhi meeting addresses concerns
The announcement follows a meeting in Delhi, where the Congress leadership summoned Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to address ongoing unrest over a tragic stampede in Bengaluru on June 4, which claimed 11 lives during an event involving Royal Challengers Bangalore fans.
“The high command has advised the CM and me to ensure that everyone is heard as far as the caste survey is concerned,” Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said. “We will give fresh opportunities to everyone who felt they were left out in the earlier caste survey. The state cabinet will discuss this, plan and then ensure justice to all,” he added.
Earlier, Congress leader KC Venugopal met with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to discuss concerns about the caste census data.
“Rahul ji, CM of Karnataka, PCC chief of Karnataka and state in-charge met today. The issue related to the caste census report to be taken up in a special cabinet meeting in Karnataka on 12th June was discussed. Congress thinks that whatever the Karnataka government has done on the caste census has to be agreed to in principle,” Venugopal said.
“But there are some apprehensions by some sections about the data. The Congress party has suggested that the Karnataka government re-enumerate within a stipulated time. We also discussed the current political situation and the recent unfortunate incident in Bengaluru. PCC President briefed the party leadership on the incident and the action taken by the state government,” he added.
Census report sparks debate
The caste census report, submitted to the Karnataka cabinet in February 2024, proposed raising reservations for Backward Communities from 32 per cent to 51 per cent, based on a socio-economic and educational survey indicating that these communities constitute nearly 70 per cent of the state’s population. However, the report has sparked opposition from various groups, including some within the Congress party. While Dalit and OBC organisations have advocated for its release, citing the Rs 160 crore of public funds invested, others have resisted its implementation.
