The report of the socioeconomic and educational survey (Cast Census) has proposed a greater reserve for other backward classes (OBC) | Photo credit: Bhagya Prakash K
The Karnataka government has requested a special meeting of the cabinet on April 17 to censor the census report, which will have implications in the reserves provided to several castes. The experts point out that Karnataka was a pioneer in the caste reserve system with the first implemented under the Miller Committee of 1919 formed in the Princesco state of Mysuru. However, concerns have been raised when the Government of the Karnataka Congress fears a violent reaction of the powerful communities of Lingayat and voccula, including legislators of the castes of respect within the party.
The report of the socioeconomic and educational survey (cast census) has proposed a greater reserve for other backward classes (OBC). While the OBCs currently enjoy a 32 percent reserve, this can be raised to 51 percent if approved.
Surge
The total reserve in the state would increase to 85 percent, including 10 percent for Waker’s economic sections (EWS) and 24 percent for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (SC/STS). According to reports, the survey places the backward population as around 70 percent of the state population.
When addressing the media on Monday, the president of the state of BJP for Vijayendra, questioned CM Siddaramiah, “despite spending ₹ 150 million rupees in the duration of the case census, their previous holdings, why was it not accepted and implemented?
However, the opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, speaking at the AICC session in Ahmedabad earlier this month, reaffirmed the call of the party for a national census and promised to implement the recently adopted national model in Telangana. He praised the Government of the Congress of Telangana for adequate legislation that increased reserves for backward classes (BCS) to 42 percent, carrying the total reserves of the State beyond the limit of 50 percent established by the Supreme Court.
Dissent inside
Sandeep Shastri, a political analyst and national coordinator of Lok-Niti Network, said: “By supporting the census, Siddaramaiah has reinforced the social justice agenda of the High Command of Congress. Despite the dissident voices both inside and outside the Congress, he has put the faith in his image as the leader of OBC and has dismissed the claims on the report of the report.”
However, this can lead to another struggle for power, according to political analyst Harish Ramashamy.
“According to the culture of Congress, they are supposed to listen to the high command. Then, when the high command makes a decision, it becomes the decision of the parties, prohibiting the work party against interest. Therefore, they will have to agree on the point.
He explained that while the census data could help with the formulation of policies, from the perspective of the caste, it can cause panic people to link it directly with political benefits, consequences and favors.
“If that is what the caste data tell us, the greatest parties should have won more representation, more power and, finally, the position of the prime minister. But pragmatically, this does not happen. The bigger the number is, the more voters, of course, but the political representation depends on who disputes the elections and receives the blessings of the party.
The last important effort to draw a distribution census was the Havanur Commission, established in 1975, also known as the Karnataka Backward Class Commission, had shed light on the many castes in Karnataka.
Dominant communities
Voccalas and Lingayats were perceived as dominant castes with the greatest representation in the central government under the rule of Congress and also in Karnataka. Power focused on thesis communities that also controlled political parties.
However, critics point out some weaknesses in the last report. For example, in the case of Lingayats, Veerashaivas and Lingayats have categorized as sepory communities.
On the other hand, Vokkigas were a community with subcases under the same umbrella.
“Kurubas and Jenu Kurubas, among others, were communities that moved from one place to another and then merged into a community. These people did not have the benefits, so they began to move towards the formation of a group. Category,” Ramasswamy explained.
Places like Dharwad had tribes similar to those of African ancestry that became scheduled tribes due to the benefits of land property granted by the Government. Some communities became Christianity and others to Islam to become minorities, show that the largest Hindu framework was not monolithic.
“If you look at any triangle, the lower part is larger. As you advance, positions and power structures give you less publications. Therefore, competition increases as you advance. That is happening today. Lingayats are worried about being in smaller groups and, therefore, losing the representation. While the OBCs say that we have narrower groups and the largest in the number.
(With internal bloc tickets g das)
Posted on April 15, 2025
