Karnataka's Social & Educational survey: 1,574 castes finalised; citizens can pick new communities

Bengaluru: The backward classes commission has finalised 1,574 castes for the upcoming Social & Educational Survey, during which citizens will even have the option of identifying themselves as belonging to a community that is not on the list. 

The crucial survey is scheduled to start from September 22. Its findings will become the basis for policy or budgetary interventions targeted at communities that are socially and educationally backward. 

On August 19, the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes put out a list of 1,400 castes for public scrutiny. Based on objections received, the number of castes has risen to 1,574. This does not include 101 Scheduled Castes (SC) and 50 Scheduled Tribes (ST). In all, the survey will start with a ready list of 1,725 castes. 

"The caste list is limited to arrangement in an alphabetical order so that enumerators find it easy during the survey," Commission chairperson Madhusudhan R Naik told DH.

"Citizens will be asked for their religion followed by caste. Respondents can enumerate their caste even if it is not among the 1,574 listed," Naik said. "However, this option will not be available to SC/STs whose castes and sub-groups are notified already." 

There were calls for the Commission to remove contentious caste nomenclatures like 'Kuruba Christian' or 'Vokkaliga Christian'. The Commission, however, has taken the view that it cannot deny citizens the choice of identity. "Our job is to only enumerate. The list of 1,400 castes that was put out was based on the castes that citizens had enumerated during previous surveys," Naik said. 

Naik is also alright with citizens identifying their religion other than Hindu, Islam, Christianity, Jain, Sikh, Buddhism and Parsi. "If one wants to say that they belong to the 'Veerashaiva-Lingayat' religion, the option will be provided," he said. 

The Commission is identifying households coming under the survey. "There are around two crore households," Naik said, adding that a unique code is being generated for households based on power connections.

Naik appealed to citizens to furnish information truthfully without fear. "Any data captured will not affect existing certificates or benefits," he said.