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The Hindu
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Caste data set to be re-enumerated in Karnataka to address concerns of some communities
The Congress high command on Tuesday suggested to the State government in Karnataka to hold re-enumeration of caste data within a stipulated time to address concerns of some communities who complained of being left out of the Socio-economic and Educational Survey (caste census) that was conducted 10 years ago, in 2015-16. A special Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on June 12 at Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapur district is expected to announce the calendar of events for conducting the resurvey of castes. The party high command had summoned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to New Delhi to discuss the political development in the State following the stampede in Bengaluru which claimed 11 lives and left 56 injured. Agreed in-principle Briefing the media in New Delhi, AICC general secretary and MP K.C. Venugopal said, 'The Congress party thinks that whatever the Karnataka government has done in the caste census should be agreed to in-principle. But there are some apprehensions from some sections and communities about the counting of the caste.' Politically dominant castes, especially Lingayats and Vokkaligas, had been demanding a resurvey, while those in Other Backward Classes (OBCs) had been demanding implementation of the recommendations of the caste census report. The caste census emerged as one of the key State issues discussed in a party meeting attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala Mr. Venugopal, Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar in New Delhi. In 60 to 80 days The State government had conducted the caste census a decade ago and the data was now outdated, Mr. Venugopal said. 'The Congress party has suggested to the Chief Minister to do a re-enumeration process within a stipulated time, say 60, 70 or 80 days. This is what we decided about the caste census in the meeting,' he said. The caste census report was tabled in the State Cabinet meeting held on April 17 and discussed in the subsequent meetings. But the government was unable to reach consensus on the matter owing opposition from Ministers belonging to the Veerashaiva-Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, besides Opposition parties, seers and community organisations of dominant castes. The move comes close on the heels of the Centre announcing the schedule of the national Census with caste enumeration.
The Print
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Karnataka caste survey: What's behind Congress high command's call for a recount
'On (the) caste census issue, the Congress party is thinking that whatever the Karnataka government has done on caste census, that has to be agreed in-principle. But there are some apprehensions from some sections of the communities and people about the counting of the caste census,' Venugopal said. All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal made the statement after meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the state party chief D.K. Shivakumar in Delhi Tuesday. Bengaluru: The Congress high command Tuesday said that though it agrees in-principle to Karnataka's 2015 caste survey report, it wants the Siddaramaiah government to carry out a re-enumeration to allay apprehensions of various communities and groups. He added Karnataka's caste census was completed in 2015, and so the data is old. 'Therefore, we are suggesting to the chief minister, do a re-enumeration process within a stipulated time, like 60 days, 80 days, or whatever the chief minister and the government are thinking,' he said. This comes a day before Karnataka is scheduled to hold a special cabinet meeting to discuss the findings of the 2015 caste survey report. The in-principle agreement and decision to re-enumerate appear to balance expectations from warring camps with one side wanting the findings of the report to be made public and the other in favour of scrapping it completely. Senior ministers like Shivakumar, M.B. Patil, S.S. Mallikarjun, Lakshmi Hebbalkar and others had openly objected to releasing the caste survey data. Congress veteran and former chief minister Veerappa Moily had earlier said the 2015 data is outdated and a new enumeration exercise was needed. We had a detailed and fruitful discussion on the prevailing situation in Karnataka. The Honourable Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ji, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi ji, Karnataka CM, and KPCC President, along with the In-charge General Secretary, all met together and… — Congress (@INCIndia) June 10, 2025 Members of dominant groups like the Lingayats and the Vokkaligas were in favour of scrapping the caste census report since they believed the numbers were not a true representation of their population. The caste survey report was submitted to the state government last year, but it has not been made public, even though some portions have purportedly come out through leaks. According to the leaked portions, the total population of Vokkaligas is 61.6 lakh, or 10.3 percent of the state's population. Lingayats are at 66.3 lakh, or 11 percent of the state's total population. These numbers are much lower than earlier estimates of Vokkaligas being 14 percent of the population and Lingayats 17 percent, according to the leaked portions. The two communities have opposed the caste survey report as it would challenge their dominant status which they enjoyed despite the lack of empirical data to support their claims, analysts and observers say. The purportedly leaked portions of the caste survey data further show that Muslims account for 12.6 percent of the state's population, making them the single largest group in the backward classes list. According to the government, a total of 5.98 crore people, or 94.17 percent of the state's population, were asked 54 questions on various parameters during the survey. Analysts and observers say Siddaramaiah has relied on AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) to power his politics and his decision to commission a caste enumeration way back in 2015 was seen as a move to challenge the dominant status enjoyed by the Lingayats and Vokkaligas. The main argument by Lingayats is that it has many sub-sects who may not have given accurate data to enumerators since some of them enjoy benefits of a higher slab of reservation but identify as members of the caste group in society. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Vokkaligas, Lingayats threaten agitation as 2015 Karnataka 'caste census' dents their dominant status
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karnataka govt to recount castes to assuage ‘fears', Congress cites ‘old data' for move
THE CONGRESS has told the Karnataka government to hold re-enumeration of various communities while giving 'in-principle' approval to a report on a survey done on castes in the state. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar with the high command in Delhi, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal acknowledged 'apprehensions' among some groups regarding the survey report. The report, submitted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes on the basis of a Socio-Economic and Education Survey carried out in 2015, has seen protests by the Lingayats and Vokkaligas over its finding that the two dominant communities do not hold as big a share of the population as once presumed, and that around 70% of the state's population comprises Other Backward Classes (OBCs). While the report was submitted in April, the Siddaramaiah government is yet to take action on the issue for fear of a backlash. However, any delay is a tricky issue for the Congress, given its commitment to a caste census and its focus on OBCs, underlined at the AICC Session this year. Venugopal said: 'On the issue of caste census, the Congress party is (of the view) that whatever the Karnataka government has done on caste census has to be agreed to in principle. But, there are apprehensions from some sections of society about the counting of castes. Since the census was done 10 years earlier, the data is a little bit old. So, we suggested to the CM that re-enumeration be done within a stipulated time.' Siddaramaiah said the re-enumeration exercise will be completed within 90 days. He also said that this was needed as the data collected by the 2015 survey was old, though 'we have to accept the report in principle'. Incidentally, the 2015 survey had been carried out under Siddaramaiah's first tenure as CM. Siddaramaiah also said that the enumeration will be along the lines of the survey being carried out for Scheduled Castes in the state, which is being done ahead of provision of internal reservation among SCs. The directions by the high command come two days ahead of a special Cabinet meeting scheduled by Siddaramaiah to discuss the caste report. A previous such meeting, held soon after the report was submitted in April, had ended with Siddaramaiah directing his Cabinet colleagues to submit 'written opinions' on the report. Recently, after a Cabinet meeting, the CM said that the opinion of all the ministers is yet to be received. With the Karnataka CM and his deputy meeting the high command days after the Bengaluru stampede that left 11 dead, and which has been blamed by the Opposition on the two, the issue was expected to figure high in the talks. Venugopal said the issue did come up for discussion. 'Certainly, we are concerned about every life. The Karnataka government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the unfortunate incident. The party clearly believes there should be a pro-people attitude regarding the issue,' he said. The Congress leader also accused the Narendra Modi-led Central government of 'completely neglecting' Karnataka in terms of allocations for various schemes. 'They are marginalising Karnataka. The Modi government is doing this type of injustice… it is not at all acceptable,' he said.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ambiguity over chief minister post deepens internal divide in Karnataka Congress
Bengaluru: The Congress party in Karnataka is heading into a critical phase as internal tensions between chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar escalate, raising concerns about the stability of the state govt and the party's long-term prospects. At the heart of the conflict is the unresolved issue of a change of guard. An unwritten understanding is believed to have been reached when Congress formed the govt in May 2023 — that Siddaramaiah would serve as chief minister for two-and-a-half years, after which Shivakumar would take over. If honoured, this transition would take place in Nov this year. However, with no official word from the party high command and no signs of preparation for a handover, the issue is becoming increasingly contentious. Both functionaries remain indispensable to the party in Karnataka — Siddaramaiah with his Ahinda (backward classes, minorities and Dalits) clout and administrative experience, and Shivakumar with his fundraising abilities and control over the party organisation. Buoyed by loyal support, Siddaramaiah is showing no signs of stepping aside. Instead, he is consolidating his position and intends to serve a full term, sources say. This has left Shivakumar's camp testy. The latest face-off was the transfer of engineers from the water resources department which he oversees. Shivakumar's decision to record his displeasure in writing marks a significant shift. Sources say the move signals a deliberate attempt to assert his position. "The fact that he put it in writing is a message to the party," said a senior Congress functionary. "He's not going to remain passive as the CM strengthens his grip." It is said Shivakumar views the reassignments as an effort to weaken his administrative authority. The timing of the rift too is significant. With the Muda site allotment case — in which Siddaramaiah's wife is involved — still under investigation, Shivakumar's camp sees a narrowing window to press for a change at the helm. Although Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing, the case has dented his moral authority in some quarters. "Siddaramaiah believes these developments are part of a larger plan to push him out. His focus now is to prove that his leadership remains strong and that he can withstand political and personal attacks," said an MLA from Bengaluru. The party high command is under pressure to take a clear stand. With reports pouring in from both camps, central brass will have to decide whether to enforce the unwritten pact of a mid-term transition, or back Siddaramaiah for a full term. Some in the party have questioned whether Shivakumar has the mass appeal necessary to lead both the govt and party unit. "Shivakumar has a strong organisational base, especially among Vokkaligas, but has not yet emerged as a statewide mass leader," said a party strategist. "The high command will take this into account before making any decision." Congress is at a crossroads. If central brass delays a decision, it could inflame tensions, potentially destabilising the govt. But a change at the helm could provoke resistance from Siddaramaiah's camp and fracture the party's support base. "Unless the high command intervenes with a clear roadmap, this cold war could escalate into a full-blown crisis," a senior party functionary said. "Shivakumar played a key role in bringing the party to the helm. His aspirations must be addressed, but timing and strategy will be crucial." With local body elections and possible bypolls on the horizon, the transition question is likely to shape the party's electoral readiness and internal cohesion. Party must set out a clear roadmap: Analysts Political observers warn that the party's indecision could result in long-term damage. "If the issue of a transition is not decisively resolved, it will lead to deeper wrangling," said Sandeep Shastri, political analyst. "Unwritten power-sharing agreements are inherently unstable. Congress needs to act before the rift begins to affect governance and public perception." Prof Harish Ramaswamy, who tracks politics, said: "Indecisiveness has become the hallmark of Congress. This is leading to a political crisis within the party and amongst their top functionaries. In Karnataka's case, the time has come for the high command to clearly indicate who would be the next chief minister and when. If this is not announced, it might harm unity in the party, which is already delicately poised. Shivakumar appears determined to take charge and would not like to be disappointed.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Survey reveals growing discontent with govt, BJP ascends
Bengaluru: A state-wide survey conducted by People's Pulse and Codemo Technologies across 10,481 respondents highlights growing dissatisfaction with the state government, two years into its term. Inflation, delays in welfare scheme implementation, and partial loan waivers have contributed to rising anti-incumbency. If elections were held today, the BJP would secure 136–159 seats with 51 per cent vote share, while Congress would fall to 62–82 seats with 40.3 per cent. JD(S) is projected to win 3–6 seats. Support for the BJP grew further after national security developments like Operation Sindoor. Despite this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remains the most popular leader (29.2 per cent), ahead of his deputy D.K. Shivakumar (10.7 per cent). Congress's internal factionalism and corruption allegations have weakened its standing, even as its five welfare guarantees reach wide awareness (97 per cent). However, only the Gruha Lakshmi scheme enjoys strong public support (45.4 per cent). The caste census has drawn mixed reactions—endorsed by some backward communities but distrusted by dominant groups like Lingayats and Vokkaligas. Nationally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the preferred leader (59.1 per cent), with notable support even among Congress voters (37 per cent). Although 48 per cent rate the Congress government better than the previous BJP administration, the survey reveals a growing shift toward the BJP across caste, age, and geographic lines, challenging Congress's 2023 mandate. What people say… "We want jobs, innovation, and liveable cities. What we're getting is broken roads, flooding, and political blame games. Many young people like me believed Congress would bring better governance, but we're seeing slow or no change in core areas. If this continues, youth like me will vote for a party that talks less and delivers more. We're tired of promises — we need performance' Manjunatha T, 26, Nurse "Every time it rains, our roads turn into rivers and commutes become nightmares. We hear about big schemes and record budgets, but we just want basic things to work — clean streets, working drainage, and safe roads. It feels like politicians remember us only during elections. We need less drama and more delivery," Ravi Kumar, 45, auto driver, Vijayanagar "We are thankful for the free bus travel and Gruha Lakshmi scheme. It helps my wife and daughters a lot. But farming costs are rising, and market prices are not fair. No matter who is in power, our struggle remains. They should focus more on helping us sell our crops properly, Thimmana, 51, farmer, Ballari district "I graduated last year and am still looking for a stable job. There are job fairs and announcements, but not enough follow-through. Many of us are ready to work, but the opportunities don't match our skills. We want to stay in Karnataka, but sometimes it feels like we have to leave to grow," Rajesh, 23, B Com graduate, Hubballi.
