Bengaluru, April 11, 2025 – The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes dropped its long-awaited Socio-Economic and Educational Survey report—aka the caste census—on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s desk Thursday, and the state cabinet gave it the green light hours later. Following Telangana’s February caste data splash, Karnataka’s move cracks open a decade-old Pandora’s box, with 59.8 million people—94% of the state’s 63.5 million—mapped out, per Live Mint.
Commission chair Jayaprakash Hegde handed over the hefty 48-volume report—200 pages of key findings—after a 2015 survey ordered by Siddaramaiah’s first stint as CM cost Rs 169 crore and tapped 1.6 lakh officials (The Indian Express). “It’s scientific—doors were knocked,” Hegde told The Hindu, pushing back on Vokkaliga and Lingayat flak calling it “unscientific.” The big two castes, fearing a dent in their dominance, want a redo—Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, even signed a memo against it last year (India Today).
Cabinet approval came fast, nudged by Rahul Gandhi’s Ahmedabad pep talk to Congress brass this week (NDTV). “We’re acting on it—next steps soon,” Siddaramaiah said, eyeing a July assembly tabling. Telangana’s 46% Backward Classes reveal set the pace—Karnataka’s data could shift quotas past the 50% cap, a la Tamil Nadu’s 69% (Business Standard). Posts on X buzz, “Dalits might top—game on!”—but Lingayat Minister MB Patil’s warned sub-caste miscounts could spark a storm (Times of India).
The stakes? Power—DMK’s grip faces BJP’s Tamil Nadu push, and this census could redraw vote maps. “It’s not just numbers—it’s justice,” a Congress MLA told Deccan Herald. Yet, with 2026 polls looming, will Siddaramaiah weather the caste clash, or bury it like 2018?
