Bengaluru, 21 Sept

The stage is set for the Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as the 'caste census' in Karnataka from Monday, amid efforts by various castes and community groups to consolidate their respective population, aimed at ensuring their numerical strength.

However, the survey may be delayed by a day or two in the Greater Bengaluru area, where five corporations have been newly formed, on the request of the authorities for training and necessary preparations.

The survey by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes that will go on till 7 October, will see as many as 1.75 lakh enumerators, mostly government school teachers, covering around 7 crore people in approximately 2 crore households across the state.

The State Backward Classes Commission has introduced technological upgrades and addressed several logistical concerns to ensure smooth implementation of the highly anticipated exercise. Chairman Madhusudan R Naik said face recognition technology has been integrated into the survey app to address KYC (Know Your Customer) and Aadhaar authentication issues. “Otherwise, our preparation is complete,” he confirmed.

Each household will be geo-tagged using its electricity meter number and assigned a Unique Household ID (UHID). Additionally, ration card and Aadhaar details will be linked to mobile numbers. For residents not at home during the visit, and to resolve grievances, a helpline (8050770004) has been launched. Citizens may also participate online.

Community mobilisation is also gaining momentum. Prominent Vokkaliga leaders have urged members to identify their religion as ‘Hindu’ and caste as simply ‘Vokkaliga’, avoiding sub-caste specification unless essential.

However, confusion persists among Veerashaiva-Lingayats. Some leaders have advised members to list their caste as ‘Veerashaiva-Lingayat’, while others suggest declaring it as a separate religion, highlighting internal differences within the community.

Kurubas, Muslims, Scheduled Castes, Brahmins, and other groups have also held meetings to strategise how best to identify themselves, as caste numbers may influence future policy and welfare schemes.

This isn’t Karnataka’s first attempt. A similar caste survey conducted in 2015 at a cost of ₹165.51 crore was eventually discarded. On June 12 this year, the Karnataka Cabinet approved the fresh survey, invoking Section 11(1) of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1995, which mandates a revision every 10 years.

Clarifying the survey’s purpose, Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara said, “This is not going to be used for reservations. It is to assess the social and educational progress of communities, and data can be used to plan government schemes for the deprived.”

BJP accuses Congress of 'dividing' Hindus

The Opposition BJP on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government over the upcoming caste survey, accusing it of attempting to "divide Hindus" in the name of the Social and Educational Survey. 

BJP State President BY Vijayendra urged people of all castes and communities to declare their religion as ‘Hindu’ in the survey, calling it essential for the "unity, integrity, and security" of the country. "The state government has no right to conduct a caste census," he said in Shivamogga, adding, "This is a conspiracy by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government."

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, speaking in Hubballi, alleged that the Congress is working under the direction of Sonia Gandhi and her “fake Gandhi family” to divide Hindu society and weaken the country by encouragingreligious conversions and appeasement politics.

Leader of Opposition R Ashoka echoed similar concerns, claiming that the Congress has made an "anti-Hindu agenda" central to its governance. He alleged that caste categories like ‘Kuruba Christian’, ‘Brahmin Christian’, and ‘Vokkaliga Christian’ in the survey are intended to favour Christian groups and please the Congress high command to ensure Siddaramaiah's continuation as Chief Minister.