Congress MLA N Chaluvaraya Swamy criticised the media’s portrayal of the report and stressed the government’s commitment to ensure justice.
Published Apr 17, 2025 | 10:22 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 17, 2025 | 10:22 PM
Synopsis: A special meeting of the Karnataka cabinet on 17 April ended without a decision on the caste census report, with ministers saying more time was needed to study its findings. The report, based on a 2015 survey, says OBCs make up 70 percent of the state’s population and recommends 51 percent reservation. Some senior leaders have questioned the accuracy of the data, but others, especially from OBC and Dalit communities, have called for the report to be made public and implemented.
A special meeting of Karnataka cabinet ministers on Wednesday, 17 April, to discuss the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey Report, also known as the caste census, ended without a final decision.
The two-hour meeting took place at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru and was convened to review the report, which was submitted to the state cabinet on 11 April.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Minister for Mines, Geology and Horticulture SS Mallikarjun said the matter would require further discussion.
“There was no consensus decision taken on this subject. One meeting is not enough to discuss an important subject like this,” he said.
“The Chief Minister [Siddaramaiah] has asked all the cabinet ministers to submit their concerns or doubts regarding the report in detail either in writing or verbally. All these concerns will be addressed in the next meeting.”
The next cabinet meeting is expected to be held on 2 May.
Congress MLA N Chaluvaraya Swamy criticised the media’s portrayal of the report and stressed the government’s commitment to ensure justice.
“[The media] is trying to convey wrong messages on this report. But our party leaders will make sure to convey what is exactly recorded in the report to common people. Nobody has to worry about the injustice. The cabinet will ensure justice is done to any body. We will talk about this subject again in the next meeting,” he said.
Similarly, Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology (IT and BT), said, “Nobody is against providing social justice in the cabinet. Such subjects have to be discussed in detail.”
The survey was conducted in 2015 during the Congress government’s previous tenure. According to the report, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) make up 70 percent of Karnataka’s population, or over 4.16 crore people. It also recommends 51 percent reservation for OBCs.
The findings have led to differing opinions within the party and among community leaders, particularly regarding population figures of various castes.
MB Patil, Minister for Commerce and Industries and a senior Lingayat leader, questioned the accuracy of the data. Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, who heads the All-India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, described the report as “unscientific”.
On Monday, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, a prominent Vokkaliga leader, held a closed-door meeting with Congress MLAs from the Vokkaliga community to address their concerns.
“This meeting is to address concerns of our ministers. They too have certain doubts but our party will ensure that everybody gets justice,” Shivakumar said.
Lingayats and Vokkaligas are among the most influential communities in Karnataka, together making up a significant share of the population.
Meanwhile, prominent Lingayat organisations have decided to carry out a separate census.
However, not all voices in the cabinet have been critical of the report. Ministers from OBC and Dalit communities defended the survey, stating there was nothing unscientific in its findings. Some among them have called for the report to be made public and implemented.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
