‘Want To Test If Survey Was Scientific’: Karnataka Cupboard Break up Over Caste Census Report – News18

Final Up to date:April 12, 2025, 10:37 IST

The delay in performing on the report was broadly attributed to strain from the politically influential Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, who concern potential shifts in reservation insurance policies

A political storm is brewing within the Karnataka authorities after the long-awaited caste census report, formally often known as the Socio-economic and Instructional Survey of 2015, was lastly tabled within the Cupboard. Nonetheless, removed from ushering in a brand new period of social justice, the report has triggered a wave of dissent, notably from ministers belonging to dominant communities just like the Vokkaligas and Lingayats.

The H Kantharaj Fee’s survey, which coated 5.98 crore individuals throughout 1.35 crore households in Karnataka, attaining a 94.17 per cent inhabitants protection, has been a topic of intense political debate for almost a decade. Its submission to the Cupboard on Friday after years of delay has ignited open disagreements throughout the ruling Congress.

Forest minister Eshwar Khandre, chatting with CNN-News18, expressed reservations concerning the survey’s methodology. “Whether or not this survey has been accomplished scientifically or not must be seen,” he mentioned, including: “There are issues from sure communities. I’ll put forth these factors within the subsequent cupboard assembly.” A particular cupboard assembly is scheduled for April 17 to debate the report’s contents and suggestions.

The delay in performing on the report was broadly attributed to strain from the politically influential Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, who concern potential shifts in reservation insurance policies. Now, their anxieties have materialised into open dissent.

Whereas refusing to get dragged into the talk, Vokkaliga strongman and Karnataka’s deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar mentioned the report needed to be studied first. “We should sit and talk about it. The implementation of the report can’t be determined in a rush,” he mentioned.

The opposition BJP has seized upon the inner strife, labelling the census a “diversionary tactic” by chief minister Siddaramaiah.

BJP spokesperson Ashok Gowda mentioned: “Because the Congress authorities got here again to energy in 2023, each time Siddaramaiah places up a brand new drama. He says that they are going to settle for the caste census report, regardless of going through dissidence previously and the current as nicely. Minister Khandre and a number of other different leaders like DK Shivakumar have mentioned that they can not settle for the census. This census has been carried out unscientifically. Hope Siddaramaiah scraps the survey. If they need a survey, they need to request the Union authorities to do a caste survey in Karnataka. And primarily based on that, there ought to be proposals.”

The rising rift throughout the cupboard raises critical questions on the way forward for the caste census report and its potential implementation. The federal government is probably going to purchase some extra time by probably referring the report to a different committee to finalise its implementation.