Bagalkote (Karnataka), Apr 30 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday insisted that the Centre should conduct a socio-economic survey as the caste census alone will not suffice.

In a major decision, the Centre on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration will be included in the forthcoming census exercise in a 'transparent' manner.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been demanding a nationwide caste census, making it a major election issue, and some states like Bihar, Telangana and Karnataka have conducted such surveys in their states.

Karnataka carried out a 'social and educational survey' covering 94 per cent of the state population. After nine years of the exercise since 2015, the then Backward Class Commission Chairperson Jayaprakash Hegde submitted the report to the chief minister in February 2024.

Amid internal differences over the caste census report, a special meeting of the state cabinet that met on April 17, 2025, to discuss it, ended inconclusive, without any major decision.

Speaking to reporters here, Siddaramaiah said, "We (Congress) had said in our poll manifesto that a socio-economic and caste census should be conducted. I don't know whether they would do just a caste census or a socio-economic survey as well. I will react after going through it (Centre's decision)." The CM said a socio-economic survey was necessary for social justice.

"They (Centre) have said they would do a census and caste census. Socio-economic survey is very important. If we have to do social justice, then a socio-economic survey has to be done," he added.

When he was reminded that he faced criticism for tabling the caste census at a cabinet meeting held recently, the chief minister said he had told all the ministers to give their opinion.

"After the ministers submit their opinion in writing, we will present it in the cabinet and discuss the socio-economic survey report," Siddaramaiah added.

Later in a statement, the CM said his government wholeheartedly welcomes the decision of the central government to conduct a caste census along with the population census.

"On this occasion, I urge the central government to conduct a social, economic and educational survey along with the caste census. I believe that the Centre will complete this process along with the caste census," he added.

The CM recalled that his government not only conducted a caste census, but also conducted a survey of social, economic and educational conditions. Based on this data, an attempt has also been made to revise the current reservation policy and increase its limits.

According to him, the basic purpose of the caste-based social, economic and educational survey done by his government was to formulate a scientific reservation policy.

The union government should note that the Supreme Court has been emphasising the need for such a survey every time cases related to reservation came up for hearing, Siddaramaiah pointed out.

He added that when he was the Deputy CM in the Dharam Singh government, he had taken the decision to form a permanent Backward Classes Commission and decided to conduct a social, economic and educational survey along with caste.

"For various reasons, it was not implemented and I had to become the chief minister of the state again to implement that decision," he explained.

He congratulated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been fully supporting the decision to increase the reservation limit along with the caste census and making it a national programme of his party and promoting it across the country.

"The prime minister may not agree with the fact that he took the decision to conduct a caste census today due to Rahul Gandhi's pressure and relentless efforts, but the country knows it," Siddaramaiah said.

Conducting a caste census often leads to caste conflicts and divides society. It is a welcome development that the BJP and the governments led by it, which have been criticising for years that the caste census is a plan to divide Hindu society, have finally understood the social significance of the caste census, he noted.

"Caste is a reality in the Indian social system. It is a self-deception to say that there is no caste. We have to try to destroy it by accepting the reality of caste. I strongly believe that caste destruction is possible only by eliminating economic and social inequality," Siddaramaiah opined.

According to him, the socio-economic and educational survey that Karnataka had conducted is ready, but the state unit of BJP is opposing it citing various reasons.

Based on the survey, the Karnataka government has been trying to revise the reservation and increase the current limit of 50 per cent, the chief minister said.

He requested PM Modi to strictly reprimand the BJP leaders from Karnataka for obstructing the Congress government's efforts.

"The fact that the prime minister has now taken up our caste census programme in the same way that he criticised our party's five guarantee schemes and finally made it his party programme is a testament to the pro-people policies and programme of the Congress party," the CM said.

He underlined that the caste-based social, economic and educational survey conducted by the Karnataka government is a perfect model and the state government is ready to assist and cooperate the Centre in this regard. PTI GMS KH

Socio-economic survey urged alongside caste census to inform evidence-based reservation policy and ensure social justice. The Centre's inclusion of caste enumeration should be accompanied by a socio-economic and educational survey so caste data can be contextualised for social justice and evidence-based revision of reservation policy; Karnataka offers its state survey as a model and stands ready to cooperate, while noting courts' emphasis on socio-economic assessment in reservation matters.