The Karnataka mission for Backward Classes chairperson had said he would submit the report to the state government in November.
CM Siddaramaiah. (Twitter)
With pressure mounting on his government to make public the state’s socio-economic and educational census, popularly known as the “caste census”, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, 7 October, said a decision would be taken once he received the report next month.
The chief minister’s statement comes days after the Bihar government released data of its caste survey.
Earlier this week, Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes chairperson K Jayaprakash said he would submit the caste census report to the state government in November.
“When the H Kantharaj-headed commission gave the report, the then chief minister HD Kumaraswamy did not take it. Now there is a different chairman for the commission. I have asked him to submit the report filed by Kantharaj as it is. He has said that the report will be given in November. Let’s see,” Siddaramaiah told reporters.
Asked about the demand for separate categorisation of the most backward classes, as it had been done in the other state, the chief minister said, “The government cannot do it on its own. A report should be there for it… Once the backward classes commission report comes, we will think over it.”
The then Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in 2015 commissioned the social-economic and educational survey, at an estimated cost of ₹170 crore in the state, the findings of which have not been made public yet.
The state’s backward classes commission, under its then chairperson H Kantharaj, was tasked with preparing a caste census report.
According to some analysts, successive governments have been shying away from releasing it as the findings of the survey are allegedly contrary to the “traditional perception” of the numerical strength of various castes in Karnataka, especially the dominant Lingayats and Vokkaligas, making it a political hot potato.
Political parties in the state have indulged in the blame game for not accepting the survey and not making it public.
Officials have also cited the then member-secretary of the commission not signing the final report, as the “technical hurdle” that hindered the release of the report.
They said the caste census report is currently with the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, and once it submits it, the Cabinet would take a call.
Responding to a question on the alleged statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the Congress and its allies of trying to divide society with caste census, Siddaramaiah said, “No (it will not divide the society), definitely not… Facts are different and what he is saying is different.”
For poverty alleviation programmes and to build an equal society, it is required to know about the social, economic and educational conditions of various communities, he said.
“Our society is by and large with a caste system. To get rid of inequalities and to bring everyone to the mainstream, we need to have statistics, so socio-economic and caste survey is required.”
In the run-up to the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls, Congress leaders — including Siddaramaiah — had promised they would make the KSCBC report public if they were voted into power.
Siddaramaiah reiterated the assurance in an interview with South First ahead of Karnataka Assembly polls.
It may also be noted that former AICC chief and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns over the Union government not undertaking a caste census.
He has been demanding that the Union government conduct a caste census at the earliest to provide justice and proper benefits to members of Backward Classes (BCs) and oppressed communities. His own party’s government in Karnataka, however, is dilly-dallying on accepting the report and making it public.
BJP leaders are vehemently opposing the release of the socio-economic and education census report.
Former minister and Malleswaram MLA Dr CN Ashwath Narayan told reporters in Bengaluru on Tuesday about the report: “It is not the right, appropriate, and progressive decision.”
He claimed: “When the national census was carried out in 2011, the Congress opposed a caste-based census. The Congress is politically motivated and is gearing up for this caste census after 75 years of Independence to create confusion in society.”
He added: “This shows how much the Congress is hungry for power. It wants to divide society and create animosity among communities.”
The BJP leader also said: “The Congress is trying to divide the community. It does not have any standing. Its statements and stands clearly show it can do whatever it wishes for its own selfish needs.”
(With PTI inputs)
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