Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to respecting public sentiment and ensuring fairness in the ongoing caste survey debate, stating that while the earlier survey is acknowledged, concerns about the accuracy of data have prompted a reassessment.
“We know the sentiment of the people, and we respect every life,” Shivakumar told ANI. “We’ve gathered feedback from various communities. Some feel that the 10-year-old survey is outdated, even though a lot of money was spent on it. We agree with the spirit of the report, but the numbers are a concern.”
The Deputy CM revealed that a final decision on the caste survey was scheduled for June 22. However, prior to that, the Congress high command summoned both him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for consultations.
“The party high command wanted more clarity on the issue. They consulted with media leaders and reaffirmed support for the policy direction of the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission. Their directive was to proceed without alienating any section of society,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also stated that the initiative to re-enumerate the caste census was not a unilateral decision by the state government but was suggested by senior Congress leadership. “The report has been accepted in principle, but due to complaints and the age of the data, our leaders recommended conducting it afresh,” the CM said.
On June 10, Shivakumar had already confirmed that the caste census would be redone to address concerns raised by various communities about data integrity and representation. The new survey will reportedly include both door-to-door and online components to ensure inclusivity and transparency.
The state’s move to revisit the caste census comes amid rising demands for updated and accurate caste-based data to shape welfare policies and ensure equitable distribution of resources.
