Re-enumeration of castes: A setback for Siddaramaiah
The Congress high command's direction to the party government in Karnataka to hold re-enumeration of castes to address concerns of some communities who complained of being left out of the survey, which was conducted a decade ago, is seen as a setback for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who has been defending it despite opposition even from within the government.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who opposed the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, known popularly as the caste census, welcomed the party central leaders' suggestion on the re-enumeration of caste data. Mr. Shivakumar thanked the MPs, legislators, community seers, and leaders of different communities for expressing their views to the party high command. He said a re-survey would ensure justice to all sections of the communities across the State.
The party high command's direction to the government on the re-enumeration process within a stipulated time is also seen as a victory for the Opposition BJP and JD(S), who had termed it 'unscientific' and had been demanding a fresh survey. The caste census report ran into 50 volumes and the State government had spent ₹165 crore on the survey.
On several occasions, the Chief Minister had justified the caste census, insisting that it was scientifically done and that it would provide valuable data to assess the social, economic, and educational conditions of various communities. The data would guide government policies and programmes, he had argued, and criticised the Opposition for their misconceptions surrounding the census.
Cabinet and after
Mr. Siddaramaiah chaired a special Cabinet meeting on April 17, 2025, to discuss the caste census conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. The report was tabled in that Cabinet meeting. Subsequently, Cabinet meetings discussed the data but did not reach a consensus. With apparent differences among Ministers belonging to various communities, the Chief Minister had asked them to give their opinions in writing.
Ministers hailing from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities claimed that the survey was conducted in an 'unscientific' manner and that the population of their respective communities was undercounted. Mr. Shivakumar had backed the Vokkaliga community's demand for a new survey. However, leaders of AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) demanded that the report be tabled and its recommendations implemented. Brahmins, Reddy Lingayats, and seers of several other communities questioned the data collected 10 years ago and demanded a fresh survey.
Commenting on the party leaders' suggestion for re-enumeration, the Deputy Chief Minister said, 'It is an opportunity for people of all communities to enrol their proper figure.' He said a special Cabinet meeting on June 12 would discuss the modalities of the re-enumeration and the Chief Minister would announce the time-table.
Related stories Veerashaiva mahasabah to extend support to fresh caste survey
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