Bengaluru: The state’s caste census, officially called the social-educational survey, has hit another roadblock with two politically dominant communities — Lingayats and Vokkaligas — demanding inclusion of all their sub-castes in the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) list.

The demand comes as the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (BC Commission) prepares to launch its door-to-door survey.

Draft caste list, objections pile up

The BC Commission had recently published a draft list of 1,400 castes and invited objections. Chairman Madhusudan R Naik said the body has received around 800 objections and suggestions, most of them seeking additions.

“We aim to add all communities to the list before launching the survey,” Naik said. “Since the survey is to study the economic status of communities, the primary objective is to bring all communities into the ambit.”

Preparatory work — including enumerator training, questionnaire finalisation and handbook preparation — is under way. The final caste list and survey notification are expected in the coming days.

BJP’s stand

The principal opposition BJP has opposed including Dalits and members of Hindu communities who converted to other religions, such as Christians and Muslims, under the OBC category.

Lingayat demands

The Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha has flagged that while there are 112 sub-castes, the draft list omits 29. It also noted duplications caused by reverse nomenclature — such as Lingayat Agasa and Agasa Lingayat.

The Mahasabha has demanded uniform nomenclature with the prefix Veerashaiva-Lingayat. “We have suggested corrections and will sensitise community members to enter ‘Hindu’ in the religion column and Veerashaiva-Lingayat in the caste column, followed by sub-caste,” said BS Sachidanand, the body’s vice-president.

The Mahasabha plans to hold meetings with Jahathiok Lingayat Mahasabha, which advocates for “Lingayat” as a standalone identity, and with pontiffs of Panchapeetas to build consensus.

Vokkaliga stance

The draft notification lists 73 Vokkaliga sub-castes, but community leaders have urged the BC Commission to include 20 more.

Political backdrop

The issue recalls the controversy over the earlier Kantharaju commission report during Siddaramaiah’s previous tenure. Opposition from Lingayats and Vokkaligas over population figures led to the report being scrapped, and a fresh survey commissioned.

Community leaders have urged the government not to repeat past mistakes.