Should the Centre Announce a Date for the Caste Census?

Bengaluru, May 1 (NationPress) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his approval of the Union government’s initiative to conduct a caste census concurrently with the population census. He urged the Centre to promptly establish a date for the caste census.

“For the sake of social justice in this nation, the caste census must also incorporate the collection of socio-educational and economic data. The Centre must clarify the timeline for the caste and population census and emphasize that socio-economic surveys should complement these efforts,” remarked the Chief Minister.

He stressed that the current 50 percent ceiling on reservations should be revised, advocating for quotas based on the population of various communities.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has also been advocating for a caste census coupled with a socio-economic survey, reaffirming the Congress party’s position that resources should be allocated according to population to ensure fairness for all communities.

“The Constitution provides for reservations for the socially and educationally disadvantaged. If the caste census is paired with socio-economic and educational surveys, it would facilitate the establishment of reservations in line with population statistics and assist in integrating marginalized groups into mainstream society,” Siddaramaiah elaborated.

He noted that the Karnataka government had previously conducted a socio-educational survey in 2015 through the Permanent Backward Classes Commission, investing Rs 192 crore and deploying 1.33 lakh personnel.

He alleged that the recent initiative by the Centre was influenced by this precedent and the forthcoming elections in Bihar.

Siddaramaiah mentioned that the ongoing survey report, which was presented to the state Cabinet, will be deliberated on May 9, and a decision will be reached in consultation with ministers.

In response to a query regarding Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy praising the Centre’s decision while criticizing the state’s caste census survey, Siddaramaiah stated that during the Congress-JD (S) coalition government led by Kumaraswamy, a date had been set for submitting the caste survey report, but he faced intimidation and the report was ultimately suppressed.

The Chief Minister confirmed that a final decision on the caste census survey report would be made following discussions with all state ministers.

He added that the state government will propose an increase in SC/ST reservations to the Centre. This will necessitate a constitutional amendment, and the state will recommend the extent of the increase, which the Centre will then need to address.

Referring to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s assertion that the late former PM Jawahar Lal Nehru opposed a caste census, Siddaramaiah labeled it as false propaganda.

When asked if the Centre was mimicking Karnataka's survey, Siddaramaiah remarked, “When we initiated guarantee schemes, the Centre opposed them, but now they are adopting the same programs.”

Asked how the Centre’s caste census might influence the state’s survey report, Siddaramaiah stated that the state’s survey has already been submitted to the cabinet.

In response to BJP Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Dharmendra Pradhan criticizing the state’s survey as unscientific, CM Siddaramaiah questioned how they would react to a similar survey conducted in Bihar, a state governed by the BJP.

“Is there anything in the Constitution that prohibits states from conducting caste or population surveys?” he challenged.

He continued, stating that Karnataka currently has 51 percent reservation, which includes provisions for Dalits, and insisted that the 50 percent cap needs to be lifted.

“Our survey encompassed 5.90 crore individuals, or 93 percent of the population. Achieving 100 percent coverage is impractical. The final decision will be forwarded to the Centre following discussions in the next Cabinet meeting. The budget will also be formulated based on this survey,” he added.

The Cabinet meeting is expected to convene on May 9, he concluded.