Karnataka Home Minister G. Parmeshwara has clarified that the upcoming caste survey, scheduled from September 22 to October 7, will not be used for determining reservations, but can guide government programs for communities in need.
“It is not about any particular caste. The survey is only to enumerate the numbers of each caste and will not be used for reservations,” Parmeshwara told ANI. He added that the exercise aims to assess the progress of communities since Independence and to help design programs for those who have been historically deprived.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized that the survey is a comprehensive assessment of the state’s social fabric, not merely a caste count. “The survey is economic, social, and educational. It is being conducted to provide equal opportunities to disadvantaged communities by collecting details about their caste, economic, social, and educational conditions,” he said.
Addressing criticisms, the CM dismissed conspiracy theories, pointing out that the central government also conducts caste surveys. “No minister has opposed the survey. To achieve equality, the poor should be prioritized in government schemes,” he added.
Responding to BJP’s appeal to reconsider the survey, Siddaramaiah said, “The BJP is politicizing this issue. There is no question of dividing caste in the survey.”
On the inclusion of the Kuruba community in the Scheduled Tribe category, he noted that the previous BJP government had recommended it, but the proposal was returned by the central government. Any decision on ST inclusion will ultimately be made by the Centre.