The revival of the caste survey in Karnataka has stirred political turbulence, particularly within the ruling Congress party. The BJP, currently in opposition, remains watchful, hoping the Congress’s internal discord will yield political advantage.
Rooted in the Congress’s national stance on social justice, the caste survey faces renewed urgency. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s move to reintroduce the survey midway through his second term appears strategic, especially amid corruption allegations, internal power struggles, and setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Originally initiated during Siddaramaiah’s earlier tenure, the survey’s release was shelved, likely to avoid conflict with the 2018 election promise of granting Lingayats a distinct religious status. Reviving the report now appears aimed at consolidating support among non-dominant backward castes, Dalits, and minorities—core to Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA platform—especially following Telangana’s public release of a similar report.
Controversially, leaked findings suggest the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities are smaller than often claimed, challenging their longstanding political clout. These two groups have historically dominated Karnataka’s legislature and resisted removal from the backward caste list. A reduced share in the survey may weaken their influence and fuel backlash.
Electoral data highlights this risk: while Congress made modest inroads with Lingayats in 2023, their support dropped sharply by 2024. Vokkaligas remained aligned with Congress, but that could shift. Meanwhile, non-dominant OBC and Dalit votes have shown volatility.
The survey has not only fractured Congress but also united dominant caste MLAs across party lines, prompting debates on data accuracy and calls for a fresh, more refined study.
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