Karnataka’s Home Minister, G Parameshwara, announced on Tuesday that the state’s long-awaited Socio-Economic and Education Survey, widely known as the “caste census,” will soon be reviewed by either a Cabinet subcommittee or tabled in the state legislature. The final decision will be made after a Cabinet meeting scheduled for October 18, 2024.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had hinted that the report would likely be placed before the Cabinet for discussion on that date. Addressing the criticisms leveled at the government for allegedly withholding the report, Parameshwara defended the move, stating that the report will aid the government in planning and implementing programs aimed at the state’s marginalized communities, including backward classes, minorities, and Dalits.

“We were accused of keeping the caste census in cold storage after spending so much money. Now when we are saying that we will make it public, they are not able to take it,” Parameshwara remarked, taking a swipe at opposition leaders who had criticized the delay in the report’s release.

The report was initially submitted in February 2020 to the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, headed by K Jayaprakash Hegde at the time. However, it has faced significant pushback from influential communities such as the Vokkaligas and Lingayats, who have called the survey “unscientific” and demanded that it be rejected or redone.

In light of this opposition, the report may become a contentious issue for the Congress government, as Dalit and OBC communities are likely to demand its release. The Deputy Chief Minister and Congress state president, D.K. Shivakumar, who belongs to the Vokkaliga community, has previously expressed reservations about the report.

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BJP leaders, including state President B.Y. Vijayendra, have accused Siddaramaiah of using the caste census to divert attention from corruption allegations, while Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka described the report’s sudden re-emergence as a tactic to cover up the ongoing MUDA (Mysore Urban Development Authority) land allotment case.

JD(S) leader and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy echoed these sentiments, accusing Siddaramaiah of staging a “drama” to shift public focus from the allegations against him.

As the October 18 Cabinet meeting approaches, all eyes will be on the government’s decision regarding the caste census and its potential political ramifications.

(With inputs from PTI)