Bengaluru, 5 Oct

BJP and JD(S) have sharply criticised Congress-led Karnataka government over the ongoing Social and Educational Survey, widely known as the ‘caste census’. Both parties raised concerns over the survey’s methodology and questioned the relevance of many questions being asked.

State BJP president BY Vijayendra pointed to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s refusal to answer several enumerator questions on Saturday as evidence of confusion caused by the survey. “Sixty questions are being asked, creating uncertainty among all communities,” Vijayendra said.

He accused the government of rushing the survey without adequate preparation, leading to criticism over involving differently-abled individuals as enumerators.

Vijayendra also suggested political motives behind the hurried survey, linking it to speculations about an impending Congress leadership change later this year. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced caste enumeration in the national census next year. There was no need to create such confusion in our state,” he added.

Union Minister of State V Somanna labelled the survey as “unscientific” and riddled with “confusion and technical errors.” He urged the state government to halt the survey and reconsider its approach.

JD(S) echoed these concerns, noting Deputy CM Shivakumar’s rejection of the survey questions, claiming he was not properly briefed. “If the Deputy CM is frustrated by the questions, what hope do ordinary people have?” the party posted on social media, questioning the survey’s hurried conduct despite the central government’s upcoming census plans.

Responding to the controversy, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar clarified on Sunday that he advised officials not to ask “personal” questions, such as those about livestock or gold possessions, during the survey.

He urged citizens to participate voluntarily and noted the Karnataka High Court had allowed the survey to continue under confidentiality safeguards.

The survey, conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, began on 22 September and is scheduled to conclude by 7 October. It involves a 60-question questionnaire and is estimated to cost Rs 420 crore.