Bangalore: In a situation that appears to be a caste problem, the Karnataka Cabinet will hold a special meeting on Thursday to discuss the controversial socio-economic and educational survey report, commonly known as the “caste census.”
Sources said Siddaramaiah had indicated that the report would be debated in two houses in the state legislature, and the source said the report could also be forwarded to the Joint Legislative Council. It is also possible to convene a special meeting of the Legislature.
Sources said the cabinet will likely increase it from the current 32% to 51% based on the report’s recommendations, adding that demand for new investigations or narratives may also be raised.
Several communities, especially the two main communities in Karnataka – Vokkaligas and Veershaiva – Veershaiva-Lingayats – expressed strong opposition to the investigation, calling it “unscientific”. They demanded that the report be rejected and a brand new investigation was conducted.
Various parts of society have also raised objections, including from the ruling Congress party.
However, not all sounds are crucial. Several leaders and organizations representing the Dalits and OBC have supported it and hoped that the government would release it, noting that about Rs 1.6 crore of public funds have been spent on this exercise.
Given the strong opposition from two politically influential communities, the report may be the political potato of the government, as it may have laid the foundation for a confrontation with the Dalits and the OBC, demanding its release and implementation.
The findings of the investigation are said to be inconsistent with the “traditional perception” of the composition of the caste of Karnataka, especially the numerical strength of Veerashaiva-Lingayayats and vokkaligas, which makes it a political problem. Ministers in these communities are expected to express opposition during the cabinet meeting, sources said.
Veershaiva-lingayats and Vokkaligas, as well as some other communities, all claim that their subseeds have been classified into different categories of OBC, resulting in a decrease in population. They claim many families have been missed for investigation or downgrade.
In opposition to the investigation report, CM promised Wednesday that his administration would not allow any injustice to anyone.
After a long wait, the report of the backward class report in Karnataka first appeared before the cabinet on April 11.
The Siddaramaiah-led government (2013-2018) conducted an investigation in the state in 2015.
The National Committee of Backward Classes, under the leadership of then-Chairman H Kantharaju, was responsible for preparing a caste census report. The investigation was completed in 2018 until Siddaramaiah served as chief minister, and the report was completed in February 2024 by his successor, K Jayaprakash Hegde.
