Bengaluru: The ongoing socio-economic survey in Karnataka, popularly known as the caste census, may be extended beyond its scheduled October 7 deadline to ensure that every household in the state is enumerated.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated on Monday that an extension is likely to be necessary to complete the monumental exercise. “I don’t know whether they might extend the process for a few days to complete it. It has to be completed, there’s no option for us,” Parameshwara told reporters.
The survey, which is being carried out by the State Commission for Backward Classes, has so far covered approximately 10.9 million households, which is nearly 80% of the state’s target population. The state aims to survey a total of 14.3 million households at an estimated cost of $420 crore. Parameshwara also mentioned that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is actively reviewing the survey’s progress, particularly in districts where enumeration is lagging.
Chief Minister Defends Exercise Against Opposition
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah mounted a strong defense of the survey against sharp criticism from the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), arguing that the exercise is intended to promote equality, not division.
“This survey is not against anyone; it is in favour of everyone,” the Chief Minister said, clarifying that the process is crucial for ensuring equitable representation for all 70 million residents of Karnataka.
The Chief Minister dismissed the BJP’s objections, calling those who oppose the effort for an equal society as “misleading people.” He mentioned that data collection had covered about 11 million families, roughly 63% of the total count, by Sunday. Siddaramaiah indicated that a final decision on extending the deadline would be made after reviewing the complete progress report by Tuesday evening.
BJP Calls Survey ‘Divisive’ and ‘Flawed’
The BJP has been a staunch critic of the survey, labeling it as divisive and flawed.
State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra claimed the “so-called social and educational survey” was “creating confusion by the day” and “causing unrest across communities.” He also questioned the necessity of a separate state-level enumeration when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already announced a caste survey as part of the upcoming national census.
Union Minister of State V. Somanna described the entire process as “unscientific” and full of “confusion and technical errors.” On Sunday, he went further, accusing officials of manipulating caste data for political motives, saying: “These caste equations are being done for Siddaramaiah’s votes. Why is all this necessary?”
In a counter-attack, CM Siddaramaiah challenged the BJP leaders on their double standard, asking whether they would also oppose the caste census proposed by the central government.
Addressing an unrelated issue, the CM stated that the government’s stance on the issue of granting Lingayats a separate religious identity would align with the people’s voluntary responses in the survey. “The surveyors will mention religion after the people voluntarily state it. Therefore, people’s stance is my stance,” he said.