"December Or January": CM Siddaramaiah Defers Karnataka Caste Survey Report Again Amid Opposition From Dominant Groups

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Wednesday (22 November) that the government would accept the socio-economic and educational survey, commonly known as the caste census, by "December or January."

This comes amid opposition from dominant caste groups to the survey conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, who criticised it calling it "unscientific." In October, he mentioned that the report would be submitted in "November or December." ,

Siddaramaiah, while addressing reporters, mentioned that Jayaprakash Hegde, the commission's chairman, had recently met him. "He indicated he would provide it by the end of his term. In case of a delay by one or two months (in submitting the report), he requested the government to allow him to continue in the post until the report is submitted," said the chief minister.

According to Hegde, the additional time is for rechecking the findings before submitting them to the government. "The report is in its final stages," he noted, adding that he sought an extension during his meeting with the chief minister.

Despite being ordered in 2014 and completed in 2016, the survey has not been submitted to the government. The delay is primarily due to opposition from dominant communities such as Lingayats and Vokkaligas.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed support for a caste census but acknowledged that certain communities claimed they were not contacted before the census and demanded a scientific caste census.

According to Indian Express, the BJP criticised the government over a letter written by Hegde in 2021, raising concerns that the main copy of the report lacked the signature of the member secretary.

BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal questioned the document's validity and criticised the government for not taking action against errant officials. Another BJP MLA, V Sunil Kumar, accused the Congress government of deceiving Other Backward Classes in the state, citing opposition from Congress MLAs to the caste census report.