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Karnataka Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, often referred to as the ‘Karnataka caste census’, is set to be presented before the Karnataka state cabinet tomorrow (January 16). Home Minister G Parameshwara has called for the report’s details to be made public. While the government will make the final decision based on the findings, he emphasised the importance of transparency.
“The government has spent Rs 160 crore of taxpayers’ money on this report, and it should at least be made public,” Parameshwara said. He added that while the government will determine the course of action based on the findings, the report’s information should not remain hidden. “Taking action based on it is left to the discretion of the government, the government will ultimately decide. But at least the information from the report should come out.”
The report, prepared by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes under K Jayaprakash Hegde, was submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on February 29, 2024. Despite being completed in 2018, its release was delayed, allegedly due to opposition from certain influential communities, especially the Vokkaligas and Lingayats. These groups have criticised the survey as “unscientific” and have called for it to be discarded and a new one to be conducted.
In response, Parameshwara explained that the report had initially been kept in a sealed cover to prevent leaks. “It was decided the sealed cover will be opened before the cabinet, otherwise it may lead to leakage of information,” he explained. While the cabinet may not engage in a detailed discussion, some abstract information will be shared once the report is reviewed.
Commissioned by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in 2015, the caste census involved data collection by over 1.6 lakh officials, including teachers and district-level authorities. However, despite being completed, the findings have never been made public, fueling skepticism and criticism. The report’s release is expected to create political tension, with Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) pushing for its transparency.
The release comes at a time of heightened political tension. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, was among those who signed a memorandum opposing the survey. The All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, representing the Veerashaiva-Lingayats, also called for a new survey, arguing that the current one’s findings, which allegedly show Dalits as the largest population group in the state, challenge long-held demographic perceptions.
Once presented to the cabinet, the report’s acceptance could set off a political firestorm. If approved, it will be tabled in the upcoming assembly session, where it will likely face further scrutiny. The report’s findings could become a flashpoint, with demands for transparency and fairness from various political and social groups.
Chalavadi Narayanswamy, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, has questioned the timing of the caste census’ release, calling it a diversion from the government’s corruption issues. “Tabling of the caste census is another diversionary tactic from the government. The government is full of corruption charges but they want to change the goalposts,” he remarked.
Further adding to the discussion, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge clarified that the report is a socio-economic survey, not a caste census. “Firstly, it is not a caste census, it is a socio-economic survey of the state,” Kharge said. He urged caution, stating that the numbers in the public domain are not official, as the report has not yet been tabled. “Only when they have been tabled, and when we have a look at the methodology of what survey has happened, that is how we will know.”
Kharge also urged people not to form opinions until the full contents of the report are made public. “Everybody has the right to either accept it or reject it, but let us first look at the methodology and find out if it’s scientific or not.”
With inputs from PTI
