The debate of almost the decade on the breakdown of the caste in the population of Karnataka seems to have reached a crucial stage, with the acceptance of the cabinet of the socioeconomic and educational survey (caste census). It is expected to have deep political repercussions, changing the current population and statements of the communities upside down.
Already played by the political and land owners and the political-veerashaiva-Lingayats communities and the vocculae axis: the figures would stimulate them at the pressure now not to accept the recommendations, even the thumb, the reserve matrix has been attributed to being significant so that they are significant.
Reduced numbers
The Veerashaiva-Lingayats, who dominate the political landscape in the North and Central Karnataka region, and claimed to be between 18% and 22% of the state population, are now 11% according to the survey report. Its population is linked to 66.35 Lakh. Until now, nine main ministers of the State come from the community. Similarly, the population of Vocculara, which is stated that it is around 14% to 16% in the old Mysore region, is now 10.29%. Its population is approximately 61.58 Lakh. The gap between the two communities is less than 1%, according to the survey conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for backward classes.
Although the proposed reserve for Lingayat-Veashaiva has gone from 5% to the current 8%, a source of Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha said that its “suspicion of data from the population survey had come true.” “This is an incredible figure and we will fight. We do not agree with the data,” said the source.
Likewise, Vokkiga Sangha sources affirmed that their numbers in the survey do not coincide with the numbers in the field, and that the ‘caste confusion’ had reduced their number. A total of seven main ministers that have served the State are from the community. Until now, five main ministers, from other backward classes (including the headline Siddaramaiah), and two Brahmins have governed the State. It is estimated that the population of OBC is around 70% of the state population.
Politics, the influence of communities that extend to Earth to 51 constitutes reserved for scheduled castes and programmed tribes. The number of Veerashaiva-Lingyats chosen for the assembly of 224 members is more than 50, while more than 40 members for the vocular axis.
Muslim numbers, SC/ST
The caste census puts Muslims as a single block with the highest population of the state, with approximately 12.58% or approximately 75.25 Lakhs.
The scheduled castes together constitute 18.2% or approximately 1.09 million rupees of the state population and the scheduled tribes constitute 7.1% or 43.81 Lakh, that the alternate obtains a 24.1% reserve.
The general category, which is not in the reservation matrix given on the basis, economic and educational backwardness, which includes Brahmins, Arya Vaishya, Mudaliars, Nagartharu and a section of Jainists are approximately 29.74 Lakh or the population. However, this category is eligible for the 10% reserve in economic settlement sections (EWS).
Published – April 12, 2025 11:06 PM IST
