Koppal: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Friday that a decision regarding the implementation of the caste census report will be made after it is discussed in an upcoming cabinet meeting. Speaking at the Ginigera airstrip in Koppal, he responded to remarks by MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy about incorporating the caste census findings into policymaking. Siddaramaiah also mentioned that he plans to consult with the Minister of Backward Classes next week.
The caste census report in Karnataka, governed by the Congress party, was submitted to the state government in February this year by Jayaprakash Hegde, the chairman of the Commission for Backward Classes. The demand for a nationwide caste census has been a significant agenda item for the Congress, with support from other parties within the INDIA bloc.
In June, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi criticized the Congress amid their persistent calls for a nationwide caste census. He accused the Karnataka government of withholding the state’s caste census data. “In Karnataka, they have already conducted the caste survey but are still not disclosing the data. The Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister has threatened that if you disclose the data, then what will be the consequences,” Trivedi stated.
Despite the criticisms, the Congress party continues to advocate for conducting a nationwide caste census. On Wednesday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh emphasized that the caste system has been ingrained in India’s societal structure for centuries and cannot be ignored. He questioned whether efforts toward social empowerment and constitutional safeguards could be labeled as casteism.
“Is bringing social empowerment casteism? Is safeguarding the Constitution casteism? Is demanding a caste census casteism? The caste system has been part of our basic structure for centuries. We cannot escape this. The Congress party is saying that a caste census should be conducted. Secondly, we are advocating for the implementation of the provisions mentioned in the Constitution,” Ramesh said.
Several opposition parties, including the Congress, RJD, and NCP-SCP, have long demanded a caste-based census in India. They argue that accurate data on the population of different caste groups is essential for informed policymaking and promoting social justice.
