The earlier report faced stiff opposition from Vokkaliga and Lingayat associations — two of the most influential communities in the state’s political landscape.
Published Sep 19, 2025 | 6:01 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 19, 2025 | 6:01 PM
Karnataka Caste Census.
Synopsis: The announcement regarding the conduct of a fresh caste census in Karnataka sparked confusion, opposition and demands for inclusion of several communities in the reservation categories. The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community has also been witnessing differences regarding how to identify their religion in the survey.
The announcement regarding the conduct of a fresh caste census in Karnataka starting on Monday, 22 September, sparked confusion, opposition and demands for inclusion of several communities in the reservation categories — adding to the complex caste dynamics of the state.
The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, led by chairperson Madhusudan R Naik, will conduct the survey from Monday. A 60-question questionnaire will be used to gather data on the social and educational status of the seven crore people in the state.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the need for a fresh enumeration had arisen after the previous caste census carried out in 2015 had not been accepted by the government.
To recall, the earlier report faced stiff opposition from Vokkaliga and Lingayat associations — two of the most influential communities in the state’s political landscape.
“Even decades after independence, inequality persists. To make our democracy stronger, we must eliminate these disparities. This survey will provide the data needed to design effective welfare programs for everyone,” the chief minister said.
In the days leading up to the survey, the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community has been witnessing differences regarding how to identify their religion in the survey.
The Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha urged Veerashaiva-Lingayats to identify themselves under “others” in the religion category, instead of “Hindu”, and enumerate themselves as Veerashaiva-Lingayats. Seers of 186 Veerashaiva-Lingayat mutts also took up a door-to-door campaign to create awareness among their followers regarding the survey.
However, several Lingayat organisations, including Global Lingayat Mahasabha and National Basava Dal, opposed the Mahasabha’s directive, alleging that it was a ploy to undermine Lingayat identity.
Addressing reporters, Global Lingayat Mahasabha General Secretary SM Jamadar said, “We reject this attempt to confuse innocent Lingayats.” Pointing out that Veerashaiva is just one of 101 sub-castes within the broader Lingayat community, Jamadar urged all Lingayats to register solely as “Lingayat” in the census.
The issue escalated after two separate meetings were called by Lingayat leaders — one in Bengaluru and one in Hubballi this week. Senior leaders argued that since Lingayats have not been given a separate religion status, members must write “Hindu” in the religion column. The meeting concluded with the dominant Lingayat Panchamasali (a sub-sect of Veerashaiva-Lingayat community) declaring that they would record “Hindu” under religion, while “Lingayat Panchamasali ” would remain under caste.
This fight over nomenclature, on whether to identify as “Lingayat” or “Veerashaiva-Lingayat”, has come to the fore every time a population census or caste census is announced, exposing the long-standing fault lines within the community.
Meanwhile, several BJP leaders expressed apprehensions over the survey, alleging that the exercise would create “divisions” in the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
“Siddaramaiah government’s agenda is to divide the Hindu religion, divide the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. This is not the first time an attempt has been made. We have decided that in the interest of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, the state and the country, we have to move forward with more clarity, unitedly, and a proper direction has to be given to the entire community,” Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra told reporters.
However, unity still remains elusive as the Veerashaiva Mahasabha will host Ekta Samavesha, a unity conclave on Friday, 19 September, in Hubballi, where political leaders, prominent seers and religious heads are expected to rally for unity together.
A final decision is expected to be taken with regard to identification in the survey. It is still unclear whether organisations that are urging the community to identify themselves solely as “Lingayat” will participate in this rally.
Meanwhile, a fresh demand has come up from the Kurubas — a shepherding community. They are currently classified under 2A of the backward classes list and are eligible for a 15 percent quota. However, they have been pressing for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
Siddaramaiah, who is himself a Kuruba, has also supported the community’s call. This is not the first time this demand has been made. A similar proposal to include Kurubas in the ST list was earlier returned by the Union government, the chief minister told reporters recently. The state is now planning to resend the proposal after collecting fresh data during the caste census.
“The Kuruba community, which makes up about seven percent of the population, is very backward in education. Therefore, it is essential that every individual in the community becomes educated. The community must progress in the field of education,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on X.
The state is planning to examine similarities between Kurubas in Bidar, Kalaburagi and Yadgir and the Gonds, who are already on the ST list.
If the demand is fulfilled, Siddaramaiah will be able to further consolidate his support base. However, the move could rile up other communities on the ST list.
In August, ahead of the survey, the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes released a draft caste list, which also included sub-castes within the Christian community — Kuruba Christian, Lingayat Christian, Maratha Christian, and Madar Christian, among others.
The move has not gone down well with the BJP. The saffron party submitted a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on 16 September, demanding the removal of Christian sub-castes from the draft caste list.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the Governor, BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, who led the delegation that submitted the memorandum, said that adding a Christian suffix to sub-castes would lead to confusion and encourage religious conversions.
“The Congress Government is playing with fire instead of strengthening backward communities. This survey risks creating chaos, confusion, and conflict. It is nothing but a politically motivated gimmick at the cost of taxpayers’ money,” the party’s memorandum stated.
The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes has, however, defended the move and clarified that it would not harm the interests of any other community. Chairman Naik, while speaking to the media in Bengaluru on 16 September, said, “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.”
Amid opposition and confusion over these sub-castes, the BJP delegation led by Wadiyar urged the government not to conduct the census in haste, and instead do it in the summer months. Despite calls for postponement, Shivakumar had held a preparatory meeting with ministers and representatives of the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission on Thursday.
“Many communities are demanding separate recognition, some are opposing. We are collecting all opinions. Nobody needs to panic,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
