Karnataka Caste Survey | Complete Coverage

On April 11, 2015, a teacher conducting a socioeconomic and caste survey in Siddapura, Bangalore. Image source: K. Bhagya Prakash

The State Cabinet on April 11 accepted the report, which has been integrated into 50 volumes, after the Karnataka Backward Class Commission completed the socioeconomic and educational survey of families in the state (caste census) nearly a decade later, and the report was accepted into 50 volumes – and will now be discussed in detail at the special cabinet meeting on April 17.

Among the numerous recommendations, the report proposes that the reservations for other backward categories (OBCs) increase from the existing 32% to 51%. This will result in a total booking of up to 85% in the state, including 10% of the weaker portion of the economy (EWS), while a scheduled caste and a scheduled tribe of 24%.

However, the overturn of the report comes from land-owned and politically dominated communities of Veerashaiva-Lingayat and Vokkaliga. In view of the role of caste in electoral politics, ministers and congressional judicial aiders belonging to both communities have issued statements challenging the “scientific” basis of numerous reports.

Meanwhile, in response to the pressure, a group of congressional leaders from backward classes urged the government to accept the recommendation and appealed for the emotional outbreak of the investigation report. Congress leaders believe that scientific reports need not be politicized even before they are made public.

It also attracted attention to the reclassification of Kurubas, widely regarded as a relatively wealthy community with political representation in both the parliamentary and the state legislature. Together with some other communities, it is recommended to move Kurubas from more lagging categories in 2A to most lagging categories in 1B. By the way, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah conducted an investigation in 2015 under the leadership of the H. Kantharaj committee and belonged to the Kuruba community.

This is an ongoing question. We will continue to update it with new developments and analysis. Keep coming back!