Respondents who still wish to identify with these sub-castes can record their details under “others” and specify the name to the surveyor.
Published Sep 21, 2025 | 11:13 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 21, 2025 | 11:13 PM
The fresh caste census will begin on Monday, 22 September.
Synopsis: The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes will “mask” 33 Christian sub-castes, including Vokkaliga Christian and Brahmin Christian, from the drop-down menus on the mobile app used for the caste survey beginning 22 September, following opposition from the BJP. The sub-castes will remain in the system, and respondents wishing to identify with them can enter their details under “others”.
After criticism over the inclusion of Christian sub-castes such as Vokkaliga Christian and Brahmin Christian in the socio-economic, education and caste survey by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes has decided to “mask” the 33 sub-castes in drop-down menus on the mobile app used for enumeration.
The fresh caste census, announced after the previous caste census in 2015 was not accepted by the government, will begin on Monday, 22 September.
The sub-castes will not be deleted from the system, but surveyors will no longer see them as options on the app. Respondents who still wish to identify with these sub-castes can record their details under “others” and specify the name to the surveyor.
“The drop-down was only for our internal consumption. Since it has created confusion, we have resolved the issue now. Surveyors will not be prompted with these castes while noting down. But the caste names will remain in the system,” commission chairman Madhusudan R Naik told reporters in Bengaluru on Sunday.
He added that the list issued by the commission did not have any legal sanctity and was only meant to assist enumerators by listing the castes in alphabetical order in the drop-down menu.
Naik had earlier defended the inclusion of sub-castes, saying, “Those who converted to Christianity want to retain their original roots. They wish to retain their original identity for various reasons. It is not possible to refuse their inclusion in the survey.”
Meanwhile, the BJP accused the Congress government of trying to divide Hindus. A delegation of BJP leaders submitted a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on 16 September, demanding the removal of Christian sub-castes from the draft caste list, claiming it would encourage religious conversions.
