Karnataka okays new caste survey amid internal, external political heat

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a fresh caste-based social and educational survey to be completed within 90 days, citing discrepancies in the 2015 survey. The earlier report, conducted during Siddaramaiah's previous term, was made public in April this year, triggering opposition from dominant Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, who claimed undercounting.

The controversy put the Congress government in a tight spot, especially after gaining Lingayat support in the 2023 Assembly polls. The report stalled in successive cabinet meetings until a decision was taken after consultations with top Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

Though the move offers temporary relief to the state government, questions remain over the necessity of a new survey, especially after the Centre's announcement of a national caste census.