Counting castes among Dalits Premium

Karnataka’s new caste survey seeks to resolve internal reservation issues

Intense discussion on the population of castes and their interplay with politics seems to be the season’s flavour in Karnataka. Even before the opposition from dominant castes to the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (popularly known as the caste census) recommendations could come to a head, another caste survey is set to begin in Karnataka on Monday, findings of which will hopefully address the demand for internal reservation among the Scheduled Castes.

The latest survey comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s direction in August 2024, which paved the way to resolve the vexed issue of internal reservation among SCs. States have now been allowed to divide the reservation matrix among different SC groups based on empirical data. In Karnataka, 101 SCs receive 17% reservation, and the Dalit left caste (Madiga) has for decades sought internal reservation, accusing the Dalit right (Holeya) of cornering the benefits of reservation.

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The population data from the survey will help the commission, headed by retired High Court judge H.N. Nagmohan Das, to determine the quantum of reservation to be provided to both sections, considered the “untouchable” castes within the SC category. The “touchable” castes under SC also benefit under the 17% reservation policy.

This survey comes close on the heels of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes’ Socio-Economic and Educational Survey report being accepted by the Cabinet. While the Cabinet deferred decision on the issue as discussions remained incomplete, the fate of the survey findings now hangs in balance as the Centre has announced a caste census alongside the 2026 national Census. 

The long-standing caste conundrum in Karnataka has challenged political dispensations from all hues, with parties shying away from taking bold decisions, due to fears of political fallout. While the 2015 caste census remained in cold storage for nearly a decade, its findings have been rejected by Vokkaligas and Lingayats, the politically dominant land-owning communities. Similarly, parties kept away from the internal reservation issue.

Another commission, headed by retired judge A.J. Sadashiva, had recommended internal reservation back in 2012, but its findings were never made public. Based on leaked information, the Dalit right factions have challenged the population data used to recommend internal reservation. While the BJP government, ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls, announced an internal reservation matrix based on population figures collated from the Sadashiva Commission — a move widely seen as a political attempt to placate the Dalit left. However, it was criticised by Dalit right, and the “touchable” castes.