Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 1: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has welcomed the Union government's decision to conduct a caste census alongside the population census, while calling on the Centre to fix a specific date for the exercise without delay.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, the chief minister insisted that the caste census must be accompanied by a socio-educational and economic survey to ensure genuine social justice. “There must be clarity from the Centre on when exactly the caste and population census will be conducted. It should include detailed socio-economic data collection,” Siddaramaiah stressed.
Highlighting the need to revise reservation policies, he said, “The 50% ceiling on reservation must be relaxed. Quotas must reflect the actual population of various communities to deliver equitable opportunities.”
The CM also reiterated the Congress party’s long-standing demand for a caste census, echoing similar calls made by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament. “The Constitution mandates reservations for the socially and educationally backward. Without proper data, we cannot effectively implement this,” Siddaramaiah added.
He pointed out that Karnataka had already conducted a socio-educational survey in 2015 through the Permanent Backward Classes Commission, deploying 1.33 lac staff and spending Rs 192 crore. He claimed that the Centre’s recent move appears to be influenced by both this precedent and the upcoming elections in Bihar.
Siddaramaiah revealed that the state Cabinet would discuss the caste census report on May 9 and take a final decision after hearing from all ministers. “We will recommend an increase in SC/ST reservations, which would require a constitutional amendment by the Centre,” he stated.
Responding to criticism from union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Dharmendra Pradhan labelling Karnataka’s caste survey as unscientific, Siddaramaiah questioned their silence on Bihar’s similar effort. “Is there anything in the Constitution that bars states from conducting such surveys?” he asked.
He also hit back at union minister H D Kumaraswamy’s criticism, recalling that during the Congress-JD(S) coalition, efforts to release the survey report were obstructed with threats. “Despite all challenges, the survey covered 93% of Karnataka’s population, or 5.9 cr people. Achieving 100% is unrealistic,” he said.
The CM confirmed that the survey findings had already been tabled before the Cabinet and would inform the state’s budget planning going forward. “Our government will stand firm on this issue. The Centre has no choice but to act on our recommendations,” he concluded.