Karnataka Govt committed to caste census: Shivakumar

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said his Government was committed to implementing its socio-economic survey to ensure social justice for all sections of society and called for a caste census to provide equal opportunities.

Inaugurating the 11th National Convention of the National OBC Federation at Jnanajyothi Auditorium here, Shivakumar said his Government had conducted a socio-economic survey.

The Congress was committed to the principle of “equal share and equal opportunity” and asserted that a caste census was necessary to reduce disparities among communities.

The socio-educational survey was taken up by the previous Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The nine-member panel was headed by former Advocate General Madhusudan R Naik, who submitted his report to the state Government on May 27, 2026.

The report aims to identify the backward communities, their size, problems and ways to elevate their socio-educational status. “We are moving forward on the principle of equal share and equal opportunity for all. Discussions on equality were held even during British rule. Therefore, a caste census was conducted around 1931.

Through it, equal opportunities must be provided to all sections of society,” Shivakumar said.

He underlined that the Congress leadership is committed to conducting a caste census.

The chief minister said backward classes accounted for 52 per cent of the country’s population and claimed that Congress Governments had historically worked to protect the interests of all sections. Reservations for OBCs were provided during the reign of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar itself, he pointed out.