Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, , on Tuesday, cautioned the Karnataka government against mishandling the caste census and the ongoing survey on Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-castes, warning that any misstep could damage the party's credibility and harm party leader Rahul Gandhi’s image.
Kharge noted that the Social and Educational Survey, commonly referred to as the caste census, must be conducted with integrity and care.
“Carry out the caste census, but do it properly. It should not tarnish Rahul Gandhi’s name. If you seek credit but create problems, it will impact the entire state,” he said, addressing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Cabinet.
Notably, Kharge’s remarks come at a time when the Siddaramaiah government is yet to take a formal decision on the caste census report submitted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC).
Conducted between 2015 and 2017 during Siddaramaiah’s previous term as Chief Minister, the report is now under review. It is, however, facing opposition from dominant communities like the Vokkaligas and Veerashaiva-Lingayats, that have labelled the survey “unscientific” and demanded that it be scrapped and redone.
Moreover, further adding to the controversy is a parallel survey initiated to determine internal reservations among SC communities. The exercise, based on an interim recommendation by the Justice HN Nagmohan Das Commission, began on May 5 and aims to generate empirical data on SC sub-castes such as SC (Left), SC (Right), touchables, and others.
Kharge, while addressing the rally, raised strong objections over the alleged inclusion of the Beda Jangama community - traditionally considered part of the Lingayat sect - under the SC category in parts of North Karnataka.
“Support poor Lingayats within the community and provide them facilities. But including Beda Jangamas as SCs is unfair. From 500 people in Hyderabad Karnataka, how did the number suddenly grow to 4–5 lakh? This inclusion will deprive genuine SCs of their rights,” he said.
The caste survey had listed 3.82 lakh Beda Jangamas under the SC category and 50,242 under the Lingayat community, which led to allegations that many individuals received fake SC certificates due to overlapping caste nomenclature.
Kharge also warned the government of the consequences of inaction against such fraudulent practices. “If the government fails to act, it will lead to injustice for genuine beneficiaries,” he said, urging authorities to ensure that the caste verification process remains transparent and accurate.
Within the Congress, while OBC leaders are pushing for the acceptance of the KSCBC report, which claims OBCs make up nearly 70 percent of Karnataka’s population, resistance remains strong from Vokkaliga and Lingayat leaders.
According to the report, Vokkaligas and Lingayats make up 12.2 percent and 13.6 percent of the population, respectively, which is lower than their widely believed estimates of 17 percent and 15 percent.
The Siddaramaiah Cabinet last discussed the caste census on May 9 but deferred a final decision, with the Chief Minister asking all 34 ministers to submit written feedback.
(With inputs from PTI)
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