Caste census accepted by Karnataka Cabinet

Caste census accepted by Karnataka Cabinet Theindiaprint | 2025-04-12T11:27:05+08:00

In preparation for a thorough discussion of the results at its special meeting on April 17, the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday approved the results of the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, often known as the caste census.

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The Cabinet meeting was missed by at least six ministers: Madhu Bangarappa (Idiga), RB Timmapur (Scheduled Caste), MC Sudhakar and K Venkatesh (Vokkaligas), Laxmi Hebbalkar (Lingayats), and SS Mallikarjun.

There was no disagreement with the Cabinet’s decision, according to Minister H K Patil, who said that “all ministers accepted the Cabinet decision irrespective of caste and community considerations.” According to him, the report was distributed for evaluation prior to the meeting on April 17. People are excluded even during the census. In response to worries that 3.7 million individuals were left out of the poll, Patil said, “A 94% coverage rate is a significant and very successful number.”

The report’s conclusions are still confidential.

According to Shivaraj Tangadagi, minister of welfare for the backward classes, 59.8 million people, or 94.17% of the expected 63.5 million people, were surveyed. “Only 3.7 million people were excluded, meaning that 5.83% did not complete the survey.”

During Siddaramaiah’s last term as chief minister, the survey was started in 2015. According to reports, more than 160,000 staff members visited more than 10 million homes in Karnataka, costing ₹162 crore. In June of last year, Siddaramaiah said that the report had been accepted.

During the Cabinet briefing, authorities reaffirmed the survey’s scientific foundation, noting thorough coverage and methodological rigour, according to a minister who wished to remain anonymous.

The Vokkaliga and Lingayat groups, who are the majority, have questioned the data’s authenticity, claiming that their numbers were under-represented. Vokkaligas and Lingayats made up just 14% and 11% of the state’s population in 2018, according to alleged report leaks. This is far less than what is generally thought, with Scheduled Castes (SCs) making up 19.5%, Muslims 16%, and Kurubas 7%. According to the census, 47.5% of Karnataka’s population was comprised of Muslims, Kurubas, Scheduled Tribes, SCs, and Other Backward Classes.