Karnataka kicked off its much-debated caste census—officially called the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey—on Monday, September 22, but skipped Bengaluru for now. The state capital will join in after a short delay of two to three days, thanks to some technical glitches.
The Karnataka government timed the survey to run from September 22 through October 7, right during the Dussehra holidays, to make it easier for everyone to take part. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged all 7 crore residents to get involved, saying it’s a key step to tackle backwardness, poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy.
The Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission leads the effort. They’ll deploy around 1.75 lakh teachers as enumerators, each earning an honorarium of up to Rs 20,000. That alone will cost about Rs 325 crore. The overall budget starts at Rs 420 crore, with extra funds ready if needed.
People will answer 60 questions in writing, and they’ll need to share their Aadhaar numbers to avoid duplicates. Commission Chairman K. Madhusudhan Naik explained the Bengaluru hold-up: The Greater Bengaluru Authority requested more time for staff training, especially since new districts just got added. The team already finished the first training round, and more sessions are ongoing.
Siddaramaiah highlighted the survey’s goal: to map the social and educational status of Karnataka’s people under Naik’s leadership. The commission aims to deliver its full report by December. This new push comes 10 years after the last major report in 2015, when the then-chairman submitted findings. Now, a permanent Backward Classes Commission takes the reins.
Not everyone cheers the move. The BJP slammed the Congress-led government, calling the caste census in Karnataka an attempt to divide Hinduism and label it “anti-people.” Opposition Leader R. Ashoka fired back hard, saying, “The Congress is splitting society in the name of this survey. The Constitution promises equal opportunities and social justice for all, as Dr. Ambedkar envisioned when it took effect in 1950.”
Ashoka accused the government of stirring up divisions over caste names, linking it to alleged conversions and even naming Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. “If it’s truly a socio-educational survey, why drag in caste details?” he asked. He warned ministers opposing the plan to resign if they’re serious, adding that caste communities won’t forget empty words.
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