Sidda in spot after ministers representing Vokkaligas, Lingayats red-flag caste census | India News

BENGALURU: Ministers representing Karnataka’s Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities have put the Siddaramaiah-led Congress govt in a spot, flagging the recalibrated caste survey data that the state plans to adopt as flawed and warning of social unrest if that were to be used to define reservation.
A special cabinet meeting convened Thursday to discuss the report submitted to state govt last year ended without a consensus after at least two ministers pointed to alleged discrepancies in data.
The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, headed by H Kantharaj, started its socio-economic and educational survey in 2015, covering 5.9 crore people across 1.3 crore households. The survey was completed in 2018, but the report remained under wraps for years.
Another commission, led by Jayaprakash Hegde, revised the report using data from Kantharaj commission.
Although CM Siddaramaiah seems inclined to implement the report, opposition from some of his ministers has proved a hurdle. Those opposed to the report fault the methodology, pointing to allegedly inflated data pertaining to marginal sub-castes within the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities and lower representation of the dominant sub-castes.
Some have complained that no enumerator visited their houses in past decade. These charges have been fuelled by allegations of enumerators admitting the exercise was riddled with challenges because of inadequate publicity and public awareness.
Urban enumeration was particularly problematic as they purportedly couldn’t enter gated communities or high-rise apartment complexes where people from some dominant caste groups reside.
“We were asked to survey large areas in a short time. In cities like Bengaluru, we would be turned away from flats, with residents unwilling to disclose caste details,” said an enumerator who worked at Rajajinagar.
A field officer from Davanagere shared similar concerns. “We were asked to record caste details based on sub-sect & not religion. Many entries had to be completed manually, and there was confusion about caste classification as people gave evasive answers. Some communities were unsure how to describe themselves. This was because there was no awareness about the exercise and why it was being conducted.”
SK Murthy, a public policy researcher from Mysuru, said the govt should release the raw data and explain the methodology used for the survey. “Transparency is key. If there are errors, let these be debated in the open. Independent data auditors should be brought in as there is still scope for making corrections,” he said.
Siddaramaiah declared recently that 95% of report was accurate. “Without examining it, one should not dismiss it as unscientific.”
The govt might set up a panel to re-examine the urban data. “We are open to suggestions. Our aim is not to divide but to deliver welfare based on evidence,” said a senior official in the chief minister’s office.
State BJP president BY Vijayendra said the Congress govt may have “wasted over Rs 150 crore” on an exercise whose credibility had been called into question by its own ministers. “Many communities, including Jains and backwards classes, are contradicting the numbers shown in the report. BJP has repeatedly stated this survey was not carried out properly.
CM Siddaramaiah contested reports of dissent within his cabinet over the caste survey report. “It was discussed in cabinet yesterday. The data was incomplete, so next discussion is scheduled for May 2. Nobody has opposed the report,” he said.