Karnataka's Controversial Caste Survey Sparks Political Debate

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has confirmed that the state government's planned economic and social survey will commence from September 22, resisting calls for postponement from opposition parties. Amidst criticism, the CM accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicizing the issue, stating that allegations of the Congress being anti-Hindu are unfounded.

The Backward Classes Commission will oversee the survey, with CM Siddaramaiah emphasizing that the commission, being a statutory body, will make the final decisions. He informed that the commission has been briefed regarding the survey, and asserted that the government cannot direct the commission's decisions.

Tensions heightened as Swami Nischalananda from the Vishwa Vokkaliga Maha Sansthan Math accused the Congress government of attempting to divide religious groups via a caste census. He criticized the introduction of categories like Vokkaliga Christians and Muslim Christians in the survey, calling the steps misleading. The state BJP echoed similar concerns, labeling the initiative a 'conspiracy' while pointing out constitutional limitations on caste enumeration.