Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 12: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara announced that the state cabinet will review the caste census report during a special meeting today, following complaints from various communities regarding missing or inaccurate data.
Addressing the media, Parameshwara stated, “We will discuss it in today’s cabinet meeting. Many questions have been raised. Some communities claim they have been excluded, while others argue their population figures are underreported. The party high command has directed us to review the findings, and we are considering whether to take it up in the Assembly session.”
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also weighed in, defending the decision to redo the caste census. “The BJP was earlier opposed to the caste census due to data sanctity concerns. Now, when we are trying to address those issues by redoing it, they are again objecting,” he said.
He clarified that the current effort aims to rectify previous shortcomings without discarding the earlier report. “We are not rejecting the previous census but trying to address concerns raised by several communities such as the Lambanis, Jains, and Bestha. The earlier census was conducted scientifically, but participation was an issue as some people hesitated to disclose caste details,” Shivakumar explained.
He also mentioned that the survey’s methodology and execution will be further discussed during the cabinet meeting. Guidance from national party leaders and suggestions from the AICC President will play a role in shaping the next steps, he added.
Karnataka, along with Bihar and Telangana, has conducted caste-based surveys. Telangana has also implemented a 42% reservation for backward classes based on its findings.
The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes has already submitted its socio-economic and educational survey report to the cabinet led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. If released, this would be the second caste census report issued by a Congress-led state after Telangana.