Bengaluru: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, has urged the Karnataka government to either postpone the caste census scheduled to begin on Monday or extend the timeline by at least three months. He argued that conducting a survey of 6.5 crore people within just 15 days was unrealistic and unfair to both staff and citizens.
In a strongly worded statement to the media, Kumaraswamy clarified that he was not against the caste census itself.
“We respect the Supreme Court’s direction that such surveys must be conducted from time to time. But is it humanly possible to complete a socio-educational survey of 6.5 crore people in only 15 days? At this time of Navaratri festival, don’t Anganwadi workers, teachers, and government officials have family and religious obligations?” he asked.
He added that during Navadurga festivities, women especially have essential religious duties at home.
“How can a massive survey be forced at such a time? This is not the right season. Either postpone it or extend the timeline. People deserve a survey that is authentic, objective, and transparent, otherwise this will meet the same fate as previous incomplete reports,” Kumaraswamy warned.
The JD(S) leader also raised questions about the financial burden of repeated surveys on taxpayers.
“How many more crores will be wasted? Why this hurried exercise? A step-by-step survey spread over at least three months is the only way to ensure fairness, accuracy, and inclusion of all communities. Otherwise, those pushing this hurried survey must be held accountable,” he said.
Kumaraswamy emphasized that the caste census must be done in a manner that causes no injustice to any community, and that rushing the process could create long-term disputes.
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