Caste census: Siddaramaiah cheers, but Centre's move may impact fate of Karnataka's survey

Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government will seek political validation of its Social & Educational Survey in the Centre’s decision to enumerate castes in the Census, but the federal move threatens the viability of the 2015 exercise, whose findings are now 10 years old.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah quickly welcomed the Centre’s decision.

“In Karnataka, we did not just conduct a caste census — we also gathered data on the social, economic and educational status of communities,” Siddaramaiah said in a statement. “Based on this data, we have taken steps to revise and expand the current reservation policy. I hope the Union government will now follow through with this process as well.”

Siddaramaiah said his government has already taken steps to breach the 50% reservation ceiling based on the 2015 survey’s findings.

The Centre’s decision, however, may revive pressure on Siddaramaiah to junk the 2015 survey’s findings. The survey report is awaiting a Cabinet decision. Several communities, including the ‘dominant’ Lingayats and Vokkaligas, have opposed the 2015 survey findings. They contend that their numbers have been “undercounted”.

“We are sure to face the argument that the numbers are now 10 years old, and that we should go with the caste-wise numbers in the census,” a person close to Siddaramaiah in the government said.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda told DH that the government does expect a debate on the impact the Centre’s decision would have on the Social & Educational Survey. “But the Centre hasn’t said when the census would happen. Since (enumerating castes) is a novel exercise for many states, it could end up prolonging the date of the census,” he said.

The Cabinet is slated to meet on May 9. However, there is no clarity on whether or not the survey will come up for discussion. “It (caste census) was to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on May 2, which isn’t happening. The Cabinet meeting on May 9 is a regular one,” Home Minister G Parameshwara said.

Siddaramaiah held an informal discussion on Tuesday with his confidants on the caste census. “It was informally suggested that the 2015 data should be put up for verification at the gram panchayat-level so that corrections can be made,” a source said.

While all eyes are on his government, Siddaramaiah would look to make the most of the Centre’s decision. “For years, the BJP and its governments attacked the idea of a caste census, calling it divisive and a threat to Hindu unity,” he said. “That they now recognise its social importance is a welcome shift.”