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In Karnataka, Siddaramaiah’s Congress government is preparing to get a ‘genie’ out of the bottle, which has created a stir in the politics of the entire state. This genie is the report of caste -based census. The government is adamant on presenting this report in the assembly as soon as possible, on the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has opened a front against it. The BJP alleges that this is not just a report, but a deep conspiracy to “break the Hindu society and brighten its vote bank politics”.

What is this ‘caste census’ report that is creating a ruckus?
The story begins from 2014-15, when Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister in his previous term. He tasked the State Backward Classes Commission to conduct socio-economic and educational census in the state, which is commonly known as ‘Caste Census’. The Commission submitted its report to the government in 2018, but since then the report has been in cold storage.

Now, Siddaramaiah is back to power and has announced to present the report in the assembly.

Why does the BJP object to this report?

The BJP is strongly opposing this report. Former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader, BSP Raj Bommai has alleged:

Report itself is wrong and unscientific: Bommai says that the survey conducted by the Commission is completely different from unscientific and ground reality. He claims that it has been prepared without any solid base.
The trick to divide Hindus: The biggest allegation of the BJP is that through this report, the Congress wants to weaken and weaken the two most influential communities of Karnataka – Lingayat and Vokkaliga – and provoke other castes against them, so that they can strengthen their vote bank. In clear terms, the BJP is telling the policy of “divide and rule”.

What is the Congress to say?
On the other hand, the Congress government says that this report will show the real picture of the society. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah says that this will show which community is how backward and who needs government schemes the most. He is calling it a big step towards social justice.

What will happen next?
One thing is certain, this caste census report has set the politics of Karnataka on fire. The Congress is calling it a ‘revolution’ for backward classes, so the BJP is considering it as a ‘conspiracy’ for Hindu society. It remains to be seen whether this report kept in the House will take the state on the path of development or provoke a new fire of ethnic conflict. This new ‘Kurukshetra’ of Karnataka politics will take many more conversations.