Karnataka: Quota, other benefits turn caste census into a battle of numbers

BENGALURU: An attempt by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to estimate the numerical strength of each caste in the state is turning into a battle for numbers, with each community getting its members together and coaching them to ensure that their numbers appear bigger. The biggest fear of these caste organisations that offer online tutorials on how to get enumerated is about the members of the community getting counted as sub-castes, dissipating the collective strength of the caste block.

The CM flagged off the caste census — officially termed the socio-educational survey — on April 11 with the intent that he will base budgetary allocations for the welfare of each caste and community on the numbers that this census throws up. The numbers will also be used to work out reservation quotas in government jobs and education.

The fallout, however, appears to be that each caste is out to ensure its numbers are high, so that its members can grab a greater share of the funds. While the lower castes and the minorities, who pushed the Congress to power in Karnataka, are enthusiastically supporting it, the upper castes in the state, egged on by the BJP, are opposing the caste census and expressing fears that they will not get their due.

Sample this translation of a Facebook post in Kannada, put up by several people, that is also going around extensively on WhatsApp: “Brahmins, please note the following instructions and ensure that the unity of the community and its numerical strength is not broken. In column five of the census, please enter 01 (Hindu) and for caste, column 6, enter 0200 (Brahmin). Please leave blank the subcaste column, which is seven, and the column eight, for alternative names for your caste.”

Karnataka’s two dominant castes — Lingayats and Vokkaligas — who form an estimated 17% and 13% of the population, also fear that their numbers may be deliberately diluted to let other castes get more benefits.