Congress Reversal Stalls Karnataka Caste Survey, Cornering Siddaramaiah

In a significant political climbdown, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday (June 13) announced fresh re-enumeration under the Socio-economic and Education Survey, more commonly known as the Karnataka caste survey, after sustained pressure from the Congress high command and backlash from dominant caste communities.

The move marks a U-turn for the Chief Minister, who had been vocally supporting the release of the 2015 caste census report, a long-pending project carried out during his first term as CM.

However, with the Congress central leadership expressing reservations about the report's relevance and accuracy, citing the age of the data, Siddaramaiah has now been forced to initiate a fresh round of data collection—jeopardising both his legacy project and political standing within the state.

Why the Survey Was Stalled

The 2015 caste survey conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes had remained in cold storage for years due to its political sensitivity. Recently, buoyed by Congress’ national push for a nationwide caste census, especially by Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah began preparing to formally accept the survey report, despite resistance from powerful Vokkaliga and Lingayat groups and internal dissent.

The CM had even defended the accuracy of the report multiple times, pushing aside concerns raised by several groups and political opponents. But the Congress high command's last-minute intervention has forced Siddaramaiah to abandon this track.

At a press briefing on Thursday, the CM said:

“We will do whatever the high command says. It is not my decision. It is not the decision of the Cabinet. It is not the decision of our government. It is a decision of the high command. They have told us to go for re-enumeration.”

This public admission has distanced Siddaramaiah from the decision while also confirming that his authority has been undermined in favour of the party’s central leadership.

Legal and Technical Justification

Citing Clause 1 of Section 11 of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act, the Chief Minister said the government is legally required to revise caste data every ten years, effectively rendering the 2015 survey outdated.

“The Cabinet has decided that since the Commission conducted the survey 10 years ago, we will ask the Commission to go for a fresh survey,” Siddaramaiah stated.

He added that the modalities of the exercise would be announced soon, and that the re-enumeration would be completed within 90 days—though this timeline appears unrealistic, according to government sources cited by The Indian Express.

Survey Delay Likely to Extend Till 2026

Sources within the government revealed that teachers, who are key to the enumeration process, will likely be unavailable until mid-term or summer vacations next year, casting doubt over the CM’s 90-day completion claim. The final report, therefore, may not be available until late 2026—well beyond the next state and general elections.

This means Siddaramaiah’s long-standing efforts to publish caste data before polls are effectively neutralised.

Political Fallout and Opposition Attacks

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized on the confusion to accuse Siddaramaiah of using the re-enumeration as a diversion from recent controversies, particularly the Bengaluru stadium stampede that killed 11 people.

Leader of Opposition R Ashok lashed out at the Congress, saying:

“As soon as the high command pulled you up, you cleared the decision to re-enumerate. You don’t trust the people of the state, mutt heads and leaders of various communities.”

He also questioned the ₹167 crore already spent on the 2015 survey:

“Who is responsible for this huge amount spent on the caste census?”

The volte-face has not only invited attacks from rivals but also sparked anger within backward communities, especially OBC groups like the Edigas, who had earlier supported the caste survey's publication.

Kuruba Quota Leak Sparked Internal Dissent

One of the triggers for the Congress high command's re-evaluation was the leak of key recommendations from the 2015 report, particularly concerning the Kuruba community, to which Siddaramaiah belongs.

The Commission reportedly recommended moving Kurubas from 2A (OBC) to Category 1 (Backward Castes)—a move that would reduce the 2A quota from 15% to 12% and increase Category 1 quota from 4% to 6%.

This triggered unrest among other OBC groups, who feared reduced reservation benefits, forcing Congress leaders to press the high command for a relook, effectively overriding Siddaramaiah’s plans.

The Cost of a Climbdown

This backtrack from the Congress high command has placed Siddaramaiah in an embarrassing position. Once a champion of backward class empowerment, he is now seen as relenting to party pressure, having failed to stand by his own proposal.

The Congress’ national messaging on caste census is also likely to suffer, as Karnataka was seen as a test case for future nationwide data-driven social justice policies.

Conclusion

As things stand, Siddaramaiah finds himself between the hammer and the anvil. On one side, he faces Opposition fire and community backlash for wasting public funds and bowing to Delhi's diktats. On the other, the Congress high command’s internal political considerations have forced him to delay a report he once championed.

The decision to conduct re-enumeration has now reopened political wounds, muddled the party’s OBC empowerment narrative, and placed Siddaramaiah on a sticky political wicket, just as Karnataka and India prepare for another round of electoral battles in 2026.

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