In a scenario reminiscent of political intrigue, the Karnataka government, particularly the ruling Congress party, finds itself under growing pressure to unveil the state’s Socio-economic and Educational Census, more commonly referred to as the ‘caste census.’ The groundwork for this survey was commissioned by the Congress-led government under Siddaramaiah back in 2015, an endeavor reportedly costing around ₹170 crore. Astonishingly, the findings of this comprehensive census have yet to see the light of day.
At the helm of this census project was the state’s Backward Classes Commission, led by then-chairperson H. Kantharaj. Curiously, despite the passage of time, successive governments have hesitated to release this crucial data. Speculation suggests that the report’s revelations challenge the conventional understanding of caste demographics in Karnataka, particularly concerning dominant groups such as the Lingayats and Vokkaligas, potentially igniting political tensions.
In the midst of this impasse, political factions in the state have resorted to a blame game, accusing each other of obstructing the release of this vital information.
Senior Congress leader B. K. Hariprasad, commending the recent disclosure of caste data by Bihar, urged his party’s government in Karnataka to follow suit promptly. Hariprasad emphasized the significance of the caste census, asserting that it would enable various communities to secure their rightful entitlements. He stressed that the report, prepared by the Kantharaj Commission, must be made public, and any deficiencies rectified before implementation.
Hariprasad contended that keeping the report confidential would render it ineffective, especially considering the substantial public funds—approximately ₹170 crore—allocated for its execution. He pointed out that since the BJP had not acted on it during their tenure, it was now the responsibility of the Congress government to release the findings and initiate discussions in the legislature for decision-making.
Kota Srinivas Poojary, the former Minister for Social Welfare and Backward Classes Welfare, had previously cited a technical impediment—the absence of the member-secretary’s signature on the final report—as the reason for the delay in its release. Nevertheless, K. Jayaprakash Hegde, the current Chairperson of the Karnataka State Permanent Backward Classes Commission, indicated that the report was nearing completion and could be submitted to the government next month.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged the prior attempt to initiate the caste census and clarified that the report had remained incomplete during his government’s tenure. He expressed the hope that the current Commission Chairperson would submit the report with the necessary signatures, allowing for a government decision on the matter.
In light of the Bihar government’s recent actions, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi lauded the development and called for similar steps to be taken in Karnataka. He emphasized the importance of releasing the long-pending caste census report, as it would provide valuable insights for formulating community-specific programs and allocating resources for economic and social development.
The report, having surfaced toward the end of the previous Congress administration, was held back due to impending elections. However, with a change in power, discussions are now in progress at the government level to expedite its release.
As the political drama unfolds, the fate of the Karnataka caste census report hangs in the balance, with mounting pressure for transparency and action.