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**Summary:**

Karnataka is set to begin its second socio-economic survey (caste census) on September 22, 2025, conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. This follows the rejection of the 2015 survey’s report and recommendations. The new survey faces strong opposition from the BJP and dominant caste groups, particularly regarding the inclusion of “Christian sub-castes” that could potentially reduce the population figures of established communities. Internal disagreements within the ruling Congress party have also surfaced. Various caste organizations, particularly within the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, are urging their members to identify with specific religious affiliations, further complicating the enumeration process. While the survey’s primary objective is to determine backwardness for reservation purposes, the focus has largely shifted to numerical consolidation by dominant communities, overshadowing the needs of smaller, more marginalized groups.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Launches Contentious Caste Census Amidst Political and Social Rifts**

**Bengaluru, India – September 22, 2025:** Karnataka has commenced its second socio-economic survey today, a move already steeped in controversy and political maneuvering. The survey, conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, aims to determine the social and economic status of various castes within the state.

However, the initiative has been met with fierce resistance, primarily from the BJP and certain powerful caste groups who fear its impact on their political leverage. A key point of contention is the inclusion of “Christian sub-castes” in the survey, identified in the previous (rejected) survey by self-identification. Critics argue that these new classifications could artificially dilute the population figures of traditionally dominant communities.

The ruling Congress party is also facing internal dissent. Cabinet Ministers representing the Vokkaliga and Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities have reportedly expressed concerns about the “Christian sub-castes,” highlighting the sensitive nature of caste dynamics in Karnataka politics. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly asked the Commission to address these concerns by masking some of these “new castes” in the list so that they can be allowed to enumerate themselves in the ‘Others’ category.

Adding to the complexity, prominent caste organizations within the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community are urging their members to declare specific religious affiliations in the “Others” column of the census, potentially further fragmenting the data. This has sparked accusations from the BJP that the Congress is attempting to divide the Hindu community.

While the stated goal of the survey is to accurately assess backwardness for reservation purposes, the focus has largely been hijacked by dominant communities seeking to consolidate their numbers. Advocates for nomadic, semi-nomadic, and microscopic communities, who stand to benefit most from an accurate assessment of backwardness, fear that their voices are being drowned out in the political clamor.

The Commission’s report is crucial for determining reservation policies in Karnataka, where 32% of the overall 56% reservation matrix is allocated for backward classes. The outcome of this survey is likely to have significant long-term implications for social justice, political representation, and community relations in the state.

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