Wed May 07 05:30:10 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka’s Caste Census Sparks Debate Over Dalit Christian Inclusion

**Bengaluru, May 7, 2025** – Karnataka’s ongoing statewide census for Scheduled Castes (SCs) has ignited a heated debate over the inclusion of Dalit Christians. The enumeration, aimed at determining internal reservations within the existing 17% SC quota, has pitted Dalit groups against each other.

Dalit right (Holeya) groups advocate for a separate category for Dalit Christians, fearing their inclusion with other SCs will dilute their share of benefits. Conversely, Dalit left (Madiga) groups argue that identifying as their original caste protects their reservation status, fearing loss of benefits if identified as Christian. The Dalit Christian Federation, meanwhile, urges identification by religion for improved political representation.

The conflict arises from court rulings stating SC reservations must be caste-based, while Christianity lacks a caste system. The Union government’s undecided stance on Dalit Christian reservations further complicates the matter. The Chalavadi Mahasabha, representing Dalit right groups, suggests encouraging Dalit Christians to identify by religion to be excluded from the SC reservation matrix. Conversely, the Madiga Samudaya Jagruthi Andolana highlights the socioeconomic factors driving conversions to Christianity and emphasizes the risk of losing reservation benefits if caste is not identified.

The census, led by retired judge H.N. Nagmohan Das, aims to gather data on 101 SCs, impacting internal reservation allocation. Disparities in population figures exist, with the 2015 Socio-Economic and Educational Survey citing 12,865 SCs who converted to Christianity, while the Dalit Christian Federation estimates a much higher figure of 40 lakh (approximately 6% of the state’s population). This census will determine the distribution of the 17% SC reservation, a decades-long point of contention between Dalit left and right groups. The outcome will significantly impact the allocation of resources and political representation for various Dalit communities in Karnataka.

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