Questions raised over gaps in Karnataka caste survey as backward classes panel prepares report
Bengaluru: Concerns have been raised about the nearly one crore people who were not counted and the potential impact of this gap on the panel's recommendations, with the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, led by R Madhusudan Naik, expected to submit its report on the social and educational survey soon.
The latest survey covered 5.86 crore people out of an estimated population of 6.85 crore in the state, amounting to a coverage of 85.54 per cent. Officials quoted by Deccan Herald said participation was not mandatory, as per directions of the High Court, and a section of residents declined to share details. The total number touched by the exercise is estimated at around 6.13 crore when households that were approached did not provide information, are included.
Critics have pointed out that the absence of data on nearly one crore people makes it impossible to determine their caste and religious composition. They argue that the incomplete enumeration could allow various communities to claim they were undercounted in the survey.
The exercise follows an earlier survey conducted in 2015 by the commission led by H Kantharaj. It had recorded a coverage of 94.17 per cent. Out of an estimated population of 6.35 crore, 5.98 crore people were surveyed. Both the 2015 and 2025 population figures are based on estimates, as the last Census was held in 2011.
Dominant communities like Lingayats and Vokkaligas had strongly opposed the findings, after details of the 2015 survey were leaked in 2018. They termed the exercise unscientific, alleging that their numbers had been underreported. A subsequent report prepared by the commission under Jayaprakash Hegde, which relied on the same data, reportedly validated the earlier figures, but protests continued. At the same time, OBC, Dalit and minority groups largely supported the survey.
Citing the statutory necessity under the Backward Classes Commission Act to modify the list every ten years, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on June 12, 2025, that a new survey would be performed following prolonged political considerations. However, it is widely assumed that resistance from dominant communities played an important part in the decision not to execute the previous findings.
The latest survey has been viewed as an attempt to strike a balance, with the commission, for the first time, including members from both the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities. K N Lingappa, who served as a member of the commission during Kantharaj’s tenure, questioned the rationale behind rejecting the earlier findings despite higher coverage.
“If the present survey has a lower coverage, why was the data collected earlier not accepted, and what was the need to spend an additional ₹425 crore on a fresh exercise,” he said.
Naik said the concerns would be addressed in the report, which is likely to be submitted in March.
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
