Influential religious leader Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji from Bengaluru’s Adichunchanagiri Mutt has urged the Karnataka government to hit pause on the upcoming caste census, officially called the Socio-Economic and Academic Survey. He wants more time to get it right and avoid mixing Hindu castes with Christian categories, which he says could spark confusion in society.
Swamiji shared these concerns with reporters on Saturday after a key meeting of Vokkaliga community leaders. The survey kicks off Monday, September 22, in Bengaluru, but he called for a delay. “Postpone the caste census and give it a longer timeline,” he said. “We’ll support it once the flaws are fixed.”
He zeroed in on one big issue: lumping Hindu groups like Vokkaligas or Brahmins under Christianity. “Creating labels like Christian-Vokkaliga or even worse ones down the line is a mistake,” Swamiji warned. “The government should drop this idea to prevent chaos.”
Timing is another headache, he added. The Karnataka caste survey aims to wrap up in just 15 days, but nine of those days overlap with the sacred Navratri festival. “People head back to their hometowns for celebrations and holidays,” Swamiji explained. “How can anyone finish surveying everyone properly? The real goal of this caste census shouldn’t get lost in the rush.”
Swamiji also advised Vokkaliga sub-castes to unite under one identity during the survey. “Just list yourselves as Vokkaligas with code A 1545,” he told them. “We’re pushing for a postponement and hope the government listens.”
Echoing these views, Nanjavadhoota Swamiji said the community had long pushed for a fresh caste survey, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s green light was welcome. But new religious categories crossing into Hindu sub-castes? No way. “Surveying 6.5 crore people in 15 days is impossible,” he stressed. “Give it more time for accuracy—we’re not backing down.”
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who handles Heavy Industries and Steel, weighed in on social media platform X. He made it clear: “We back the Socio-Economic and Academic Survey as per Supreme Court guidelines—surveys like this need to happen.” But the rushed Karnataka caste census? That’s the problem.
“Is it realistic to cover 6.5 crore folks in 15 days during Dasara and Navratri?” Kumaraswamy asked. He pointed out that survey workers—like Anganwadi staff, teachers, and officials—are busy with their own festival duties and family traditions. “Women have important home rituals during Navratri worship of the Navadurgas. How can they handle fieldwork too?”
Kumaraswamy called for at least a three-month extension to make the caste census fair and thorough. “Do it step by step—who’s against that?” he said. “People deserve an honest survey that includes everyone without hurting any group. Otherwise, it’ll flop like past ones, wasting taxpayer money on more crores.”
He questioned the hurry: “Who’s this rushed timeline really for? If errors happen, those responsible can’t dodge the blame.”
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